Paris Pressure: French Open Recap Day 5

Shock exits, massive upsets, and absolute chaos on the clay — today’s episode breaks down the biggest storylines from French Open. We dive into the surprise eliminations shaking up the tournament, the stars under pressure, and the players nobody saw coming. From dramatic five-set battles to title favourites crashing out early, Roland-Garros has already delivered unforgettable moments.

We also cover the standout performances, controversial moments, and what these results mean for the road to the finals in Paris. If you thought the clay season was predictable, think again. 🎾🔥

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:06

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of Off the Court. We are back with all of the recap action from day five at Roland Garris. Boy, boy, was there a lot that went on. A lot of stuff we were anticipating, a lot of routine stuff, but a lot of stuff we also were not anticipating. So we are gonna get right down to it. We're not gonna waste any time. And of course, we're going to start with some of the matches on Court Flip Chartier. Of course, we had the biggest sort of news of the day, the world number one Yannick Sinner falling to the Argentinian JM Serendulo, which obviously put him and his brother through to the next round. We'll get to the brother in just a second, but uh Yannick obviously looking visibly distressed out there, not feeling too good. Him saying in his press conference afterwards that it just wasn't great conditions for him. As we know, it is extremely hot on court and much hotter than normal. Three hours and 36 minutes. He did win the first two sets, and obviously after that, something just felt amiss. But what that does set up now, that sets up either a first-time Grand Slam champion on the men's draw or Novak, if he can make it, winning his 25th Grand Slam title. He is the only person currently in the draw that has won a major on the men's sides. My thoughts are still gonna be with Sasha Zwarev. I think he is really a strong chance. His first, his first and second round matches have been great and he looks to be in really good form. We had the 17-year-old Frenchman Koyame, obviously winning in four hours and 56 minutes. He won the first two sets, dropped the third and fourth, and then was able to turn it back around in the fifth set. We also had Oger Ali Assim. He dropped the first set, but he was able to pull through in the other two sets. Longer matches on the men's side. We're seeing, obviously, we saw Mateo Berrettini get through. Wasn't a super long match for him. Three sets, 6'4, 6'4, 6'4 in two hours and 17 minutes. Amazing for him to be through to the third round of Roland Garris, or if any major, for the first time in five years after he has dealt with so many injuries post-COVID and everything like that. So it was really nice to see him. He took out Arthur Rindekesh, the 22nd seed. Another shock as well is the loss of Ben Shelton. So he lost to Coling Nong 6'4, 7'5, 6'4 in two hours and one minute. I definitely was thinking that Ben would have gone a little further in the tournament, but those conditions out there just sort of make it hard on the day. It just really is whoever is the strongest. Kaboli making it through the number 10 seed in straight sets and two hours and nine minutes. The other big match of the day, Francis Tiarfo and Hubi Hercraz, the support for Hubi was insane. Not saying there wasn't support for Tiarfo, but the support for Hubi was crazy. He did win the first set, Tiarfo won the second and third, Hubi won the fourth, and then Foe was able to close it out in the fifth set. Four hours 43 minutes. Out on court 14. Crazy, crazy, crazy. Some amazing points, amazing shots, and obviously a very happy Francis at the end, as we all probably saw. Alnardi also was able to take out Stefano's sister pass, three hours and 17 minutes in four sets, with Sister Pass taking the second. Moving forward to Brandon Nakashima, he was able to win in five, four hours and 34 minutes. Another tough match against Van Aesch, the other Frenchman. And he was able to go through Leonatian in five sets as well. And also Komassana, another Argentinian, taking out Diderry, the number 14 seed, in five sets as well, four hours and 10 minutes. So the four-hour mark seemed to be the flow of the day. And Faria has taken, did take out Leonard Struff as well in three sets. And I want to say the Australian Alex Walton was also taken out by the American Vija Zavada and Valentin Vacherot, obviously pulling out of the tournament completely. Yesterday we talked a little bit about that, but it hadn't quite been 100% confirmed yet. He did pull out and Tabilio getting a walkov to the third round. On the women's side of things, we had Potova taking out Katie Bolter in a three-set victory as well. Daria Kazakina taking out the Swiss Bedecci. Elise Meertons, the 23 seed falling as well in straight sets. Lot of like upsets and shocks happening here. Callan Skya making it through as well. Might I add, her dog is extremely adorable. Maria Sacri getting up over Lou Madison Keyes making it through as well. Diana Schneider taking out McCartney Kessler in straight sets 7-6-6-1. And what a difference a week makes. Eva Jovic and Emma Navarro's rematch that was in Strasbourg last week. Tables reversed. Jovic taking this win, six love, six three. Victoria Maboko taking out Sinekovo in Sinekovo, sorry, in three sets. We of course had Arena Sabalenka. She noted in her press conference that it was a tricky match and that she was grateful for the support as well, considering she was playing a French woman on Senna Court, but she got through it in the end in 7-5-6-2, an hour and 35 minutes. So reasonably good timing from her. Coco Goff making it through 6-3-6-2. Um Anasimova moving through as well, with Grabba taking a retirement. So they only played out the first set. Anisamova won that six love. Curry taking out Lee and Naomi Asaka taking out Donna Vecik in an hour and 15 minutes. Quite routine from Naomi, but also quite strong from Vecik as well. And of course, we did just forget to over here with the men's. I have Serendulo, so the brother of Fan, has taken out Gaston, who obviously took out Gael Mobfeast in the first round and ended his Roland Garrett's careers. Let's take a little look at what we are to expect for day six. Fleep Chartier. Today we have Lynette and Swyatek. The match that everybody's talking about, Zhao Fonseca taking on Novak Djokovic. Can Novak hold the flow that he's been in? Zhao has been playing amazing as well. That is not before 3:30 local time. So make sure you're in for that. And then the night session is Quentin Hallis taking on Sasha Zwarev. So obviously Sasha Zwarev being the top seed left in the tournament now on the men's side, closely followed by Novak, of course. So that will be your action from Center Court today. And on Court Susan Leng Lenglen, sorry, we have Rublev against Orges, followed by Elena Spidalina taking on Corpash, followed by, this is gonna be a very interesting one. I'm Casparude, the number 15th seed, will take on Tommy Paul. Casper's had some longer matches. Tommy's in great form. I see this one probably going the distance of five. On Simone Metal Court, we have Kostiak and Gubblick first up, followed by Michelson and Jadar, followed by Australian Alex Diminor taking on Jakob Mensig. Hopefully Jakob has recovered from his second round match and all of the heat that he endured and is able to put up a good fight against Alex Diminor. We also have Belinda Bensik taking on Peyton Stearns as well after that. Then on court 14 to begin the day, Tarante taking on Coreno Busta, Sierra taking on Sristia, Aaron Kachnikov taking on Dijong, and then some ladies' doubles action after that. Up on court seven, we have Wang and Stravostiva. Obviously, she took out Elena Rabukna just a couple days ago. Then we have three back-to-back doubles matches, starting with the men's, women's, and then men's all doubles matches. A lot of amazing matches. Like I said, ones to watch. Obviously, Djokovic is always an honor anytime we get to continue to watch him. But of course, my eyes will be on the Casper Roode and Tommy Paul match later on this evening, this afternoon. And then also keeping a close eye on Elena Svitalina. A lot's gonna happen today. Make sure you have your sunscreen, your hats, your everything that you need to protect yourself from the heat. Make sure you give yourself time to get between courts if you're moving about. And make sure you obviously stay up to date with the Roland Garrett app live and it's free to download as well on the App Store. So wherever country you live in or wherever you are watching from. So good luck to everyone playing today, once again, and we will see you guys tomorrow for a little bit of action.