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Menšík Downs de Minaur to Reach French Open Last 16

The upset highlights young players exploiting top seeds' uneven clay form and the tournament's physical toll on competitors.

Overview

  • Jakub Menšík beat eighth seed Alex de Minaur in the third round at Roland‑Garros by 0‑6, 6‑2, 6‑2, 6‑3 to reach the last 16.
  • Menšík reached that match after a grueling 4‑hour, 41‑minute five‑set win over Mariano Navone that ended with full‑body cramps and him briefly being carted off, though he later left the court under his own power.
  • De Minaur entered the third round after receiving a second‑round walkover when Alexander Blockx withdrew and had a 5‑0 head‑to‑head lead over Menšík but the pair had never met on clay.
  • The result is part of a wider trend at this French Open of teenagers and lower‑ranked young players producing high‑profile upsets, a pattern that includes Rafael Jodar, Joao Fonseca and the earlier elimination of Novak Djokovic.
  • Tournament conditions and scheduling are having a clear effect because long daytime matches, hot weather and best‑of‑five demands are causing fatigue and medical incidents that can change the draw and open opportunities for younger competitors.