This year’s French Open has been full of surprises…
From Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal to Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic’s early exits, there’s no saying what’s going to happen next at the 2026 French Open.
Several players have suffered shocking defeats, but who has been the biggest positive surprise?
How many major titles will Alexander Zverev retire with if he wins the 2026 French Open?
He's the favourite to win in Paris…
After winning his quarter-final match, Alexander Zverev shared his thoughts.
Alexander Zverev says Matteo Arnaldi has been the ‘biggest surprise’ at the French Open
During his post-match press conference, Zverev was asked who had surprised him the most in Paris between Matteo Berrettini, Matteo Arnaldi, and Flavio Cobolli.
“For me, Matteo [Berrettini] always has the level, and it’s just about him bringing it on the tennis court,” said Zverev.
“So I’m not surprised that he found his level.
“Probably the biggest surprise is Matteo Arnaldi, I think, ranking-wise and what he’s done in the past.
“[Flavio] Cobolli, we know the potential that he has.
“Berrettini, we know he is a Grand Slam finalist, he can play fantastic tennis.
Give us your one wild prediction for Roland Garros!
“So if we talk about surprise, probably Arnaldi, but again, he is a fantastic tennis player.”
All three Italians qualified for the Roland Garros quarter-finals, but only one reached their first Grand Slam quarter-final in Paris.
Italian French Open quarter-finalists and their best Grand Slam results
| Player | Best Grand Slam result before 2026 French Open | Grand Slam W/L record |
| Matteo Berrettini | F – 2021 Wimbledon | 50-23 (68%) |
| Flavio Cobolli | QF – 2025 Wimbledon | 14-10 (58%) |
| Matteo Arnaldi | 4R – 2023 US Open, 2024 French Open | 11-12 (48%) |
Before the 2026 French Open, Arnaldi had never been past the fourth round of a major tournament.
Surprising everyone, including Zverev, the 25-year-old has delivered several impressive performances in the French capital.
Matteo Arnaldi’s route to the French Open quarter-finals
- 1R [WIN] vs Tallon Griekspoor, 6-7, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3
- 2R [WIN] vs Stefanos Tsitsipas, 7-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2
- 3R [WIN] vs Raphael Collignon, 6-4, 6-7, 5-7, 6-4, 7-6
- 4R [WIN] vs Frances Tiafoe, 7-6, 6-7, 3-6, 7-6, 6-4
Arnaldi began the tournament ranked outside the world’s top 100, but now sits 53rd in the ‘Live ATP Rankings’.
And if he wins his quarter-final match against Berrettini, he will jump up to 34th, four spots off his career-high.
Zverev continued, delivering his verdict on how the draw has opened up at Roland Garros.
“I feel like the draw opened up a lot in the top half. I feel like in the bottom half, less,” he said.
“Of course, with Joao Fonseca beating Djokovic, it’s a big match that opened up the draw, but everything else is kind of normal-ish on the bottom half.
“And the top half, of course, is different.”
Finally, Zverev was asked if he would rather play Joao Fonseca or Jakub Mensik in the French Open semi-finals.
“Who would I prefer to play, I don’t care at all, to be honest,” he said.
“I just don’t care.
“For me, it doesn’t matter.”
Mensik defeated Fonseca in straight sets to set up a semi-final clash with Zverev.
What happened the last time Alexander Zverev played Jakub Mensik?
Zverev and Mensik have met once before, at the Madrid Open, 36 days ago.
Playing for a spot in the quarter-finals, it was the German who took the early lead, winning the first set 6-4 on Manolo Santana.
But the Czech fought back, taking the second set in a tiebreak to force a decider.
Alexander Zverev vs Jakub Mensik – Match stats
| Stats | Alexander Zverev | Jakub Mensik |
| Aces | 12 | 7 |
| Double faults | 3 | 3 |
| 1st Serve % | 67% | 61% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 81% | 80% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 63% | 55% |
| Break points | 3/6 | 1/3 |
There, Zverev pushed ahead, winning the third set 6-3, emerging victorious in their first career meeting.
Now, it’s important to note that the conditions in Paris are different from those in Madrid.
The altitude at the Madrid Open is unlike any other Masters 1000 or Grand Slam event.
Mensik’s serve has looked mightily strong in Paris this year, and with more suitable conditions, perhaps he could take advantage and cause the second seed some real problems.
If not, Zverev will be into his fourth Grand Slam final, and the first where he will be the clear favourite.
The winner of Mensik/Zverev will take on Berrettini, Arnaldi, Cobolli, or Felix Auger-Aliassime in the French Open final on Sunday, June 7
