On Day 6 of the French Open, Juan Manuel Cerúndolo delivered a stunning forehand on the clay of Court Philippe-Chatrier, transforming the men’s draw into a vast ocean of potential. Ranked 56th in the world, Cerúndolo ousted Jannik Sinner, the top-ranked player and a clear favorite, on Thursday afternoon at Roland Garros. Sinner had been leading with a score of 6-3, 6-2, 5-2, needing just four points to clinch the victory. Unfortunately for him, a mix of illness and intense heat drained his energy, allowing Cerúndolo to win in five sets: 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1. This victory dashed Sinner’s hopes of winning his first French Open title and completing a career Grand Slam.
With Sinner out, Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion, is absent as well due to a wrist injury that will keep him sidelined until Wimbledon. This leaves a wide-open field for the remaining contenders.
Alexander Zverev’s Prospects
Alexander Zverev, a player familiar with the near-miss scenario, has experienced three Grand Slam final defeats. Despite these setbacks, his close contests against dominant opponents, such as Dominic Thiem in the 2020 U.S. Open, Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 French Open, and Jannik Sinner in the 2025 Australian Open, show his potential. Should Zverev reach the final this time, he could become the favorite. While facing Novak Djokovic in a potential semifinal looks daunting, Zverev is strong on clay. It may well be his moment to shine.
Novak Djokovic: The Veteran Challenger
Novak Djokovic stands as one of the premier clay-court players, second only to Rafael Nadal over recent decades. With 24 Grand Slam titles to his name, Djokovic has triumphed at Roland Garros four times previously. Although he displayed inconsistencies in his early matches this week, overcoming young challengers in varied conditions, his experience gives him an edge. A win against João Fonseca, despite harsh weather, would see him into the second week of the tournament.
Learner Tien: A Surprising Contender?
The unpredictable nature of Grand Slam events can sometimes create unexpected opportunities. With high-ranked seeds like Félix Auger-Aliassime and Ben Shelton in the tougher draw side, the conditions may favor a player with robust point construction abilities. Learner Tien emerges as a potential dark horse. Although Tien is yet to reach a Grand Slam semifinal or final, his adaptability and ability to perform in less favorable conditions may allow him to progress further than expected.
Moïse Kouame: Riding the Home Support
Moïse Kouame, a young French talent, has captured the local audience’s heart. At 17 years old, he benefits from the enthusiastic support of his home crowd. Despite lacking Grand Slam experience, Kouame has shown maturity and tactical acumen by defeating seasoned players, including Marin Čilić. While winning Roland Garros might be ambitious, especially considering potential fatigue, his unexpected victories provide a welcome surprise.
As the tournament progresses, spectators and analysts remain keenly observant of which player will seize the French Open title in this unpredictable and open men’s draw.
Who are you betting on to win? Share your thoughts in the comments.