On a warm, buzzing Friday at Roland-Garros, the second week’s contours began to take shape with a series of commanding wins, coming-of-age performances, and heart-stopping thrillers that reminded us why Paris in late May is tennis’ greatest stage.
Mboko’s Dream Run Ends, But a Star Is Born
Canadian teenage qualifier Victoria Mboko had enchanted the Parisian crowd with her fearless tennis and unblemished record, but her Roland-Garros fairytale was halted by No. 8 seed Zheng Qinwen, who dispatched the 18-year-old 6-3, 6-4. Mboko, ranked world No. 120, had cruised through qualifying and stunned world No. 45 Lulu Sun earlier this week and while her campaign ends in the third round, her name now echoes alongside the WTA’s next-gen elite. Even Coco Gauff has taken notice. Don’t forget this name.
For Zheng, the win marks more than just progress, it’s a statement. She became the first player in either draw to reach the last 16, and judging by her clean, composed tennis, she’s far from finished.
Swiatek, Rybakina, Paolini Dominate
Four-time champion Iga Swiatek is back in her natural element. She crushed Romanian Jaqueline Cristian 6-2, 7-5 to stretch her Roland-Garros win streak to a jaw-dropping 24 matches, improving her career record in Paris to 38-2. Cristian rallied in the second set, but Swiatek kept her composure in the humid conditions. Next up? A blockbuster fourth-round clash with Elena Rybakina, who dismantled Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 6-2 in a performance that was as ruthless as it was efficient.
Meanwhile, Italian No. 1 Jasmine Paolini breezed past lucky loser Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-4, 6-1, continuing her rock-solid 2025 form and setting up what promises to be a high-stakes second-week test.
Sabalenka, Anisimova, Samsonova Cruise
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka faced a potentially tricky test against rising Serb Olga Danilovic but emerged unscathed, winning 6-2, 6-3. That’s now just 10 games dropped in three matches, the second-best tally of her Grand Slam career after last year’s Australian Open (6). Her next opponent? 2019 Roland-Garros semi-finalist Amanda Anisimova, who overcame Clara Tauson 7-6 (4), 6-4 in a stylish outing on Court 14. Elsewhere, Liudmila Samsonova, runner-up in Strasbourg last week, eased past Dayana Yastremska 6-2, 6-3 to set up a blockbuster showdown with Zheng.
Popyrin Powers On, Rune Survives, Shelton Strikes
Australian Alexei Popyrin continued his career-best Slam run, reaching the fourth round without dropping a set after outlasting Portugal’s Nuno Borges in a tight 6-4, 7-6 (11), 7-6 (5) battle. He’s only the second Aussie man to do that at Roland-Garros since Ken Rosewall in 1968, high praise, historic company.
Holger Rune kept French hearts pounding late into the night, coming back from the brink against home hope Quentin Halys, saving match points and turning the match on its head for a five-set escape: 6-7, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-2. He’ll face Lorenzo Musetti, who beat Mariano Navone in four sets, in a tasty R4 showdown.
On Simonne-Mathieu, American Tommy Paul battled through another marathon, beating Karen Khachanov 6-3 in the fifth to set up a last-16 clash with Popyrin.
Ben Shelton closed out the day with an authoritative 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 win over Matteo Gigante, flashing his full artillery and charisma in equal measure.
And finally, Germany’s Daniel Altmaier, a Paris favourite since his 2020 breakthrough, is back in the second week after taking down Hamad Medjedovic. With a top-50 return on the horizon, Altmaier next plays either Frances Tiafoe or Sebastian Korda.
Saturday Showdowns: Matches to Watch on Day 7
With the fourth round nearly complete, Saturday offers intrigue, power battles, and generational face-offs:
– Jack Draper (5) vs Joao Fonseca – Court Simonne-Mathieu, third match
The present versus the future. Draper’s lefty forehand versus Fonseca’s volcanic energy and raw firepower. Their Indian Wells clash went Draper’s way — will Paris tell a different story?
– Coco Gauff (2) vs Marie Bouzkova – Court Philippe-Chatrier, third match
Gauff is the wise head at just 21, while Bouzkova has a 2-0 record over the American. A classic test of poise versus past pain.
– Alexander Zverev (3) vs Flavio Cobolli – Court Philippe-Chatrier, second match
Zverev has been efficient, but Cobolli has momentum and the swagger of Italy’s next big hope. A well-rounded game and a growing trophy cabinet — this could be Zverev’s first real test.
– Paula Badosa (10) vs Daria Kasatkina (17) – Court Simonne-Mathieu, first match
A renewal of a heartfelt Wimbledon battle. Badosa is back to her best after 2023’s injury-marred season, and Kasatkina’s tactical guile will make this one a must-watch for purists.
As we roll into Day 7, the clay is cracking, the draws are tightening, and the contenders are standing tall. Don’t blink. Paris drama waits for no one.