Roland-Garros 2026: The Biggest Upsets So Far — Seeds Falling Left and Right in Paris
Roland-Garros 2026 has wasted no time delivering chaos. In one of the most dramatic opening weeks in recent French Open memory, top seeds have fallen across both the men's and women's draws — leaving a tournament wide open and fans scrambling to update their predictions. From a Grand Slam debutant toppling a top 10 American to the world No. 2 exiting before the third round, here's a full breakdown of the biggest upsets at Roland-Garros 2026.
1. Nishesh Basavareddy Stuns No. 7 Seed Taylor Fritz on Grand Slam Debut
21-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy (ranked 154th, Grand Slam debut) defeated No. 7 Fritz 7-6, 7-6, 6-7, 6-1 — his first-ever top 10 win. His run ended in round 2 against fellow American Alex Michelsen, but the Fritz scalp alone made him the story of day one.
2. Daniil Medvedev Falls Again in Round 1 — This Time to Adam Walton
No. 6 seed Medvedev fell in five sets to Australia's Adam Walton — his second consecutive R1 exit at Roland-Garros. 54 winners, 60 unforced errors. Classic Dima on clay.
3. Bublik (No. 9) Exits to Jan-Lennard Struff
2025 quarterfinalist Bublik was eliminated in four sets by veteran Jan-Lennard Struff, who controlled the net and neutralized Bublik's serve throughout.
4. Portuguese Qualifier Jaime Faria Sends Shapovalov Packing
Shapovalov had the power (10 aces, 33 winners) but 48 unforced errors were his undoing. Qualifier Jaime Faria, 22, dispatched the Canadian 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 with composed, clinical tennis.
5. No. 5 Seed Jessica Pegula Falls in Three Sets to Kimberly Birrell
No. 5 seed Pegula, one of the top American contenders, went out in three sets to Australia's Kimberly Birrell in a sharp, aggressive performance from the underdog.
6. Qualifier Maja Chwalinska Upsets Qinwen Zheng in Straight Sets
Qualifier Chwalinska defeated former world No. 4 and Olympic gold medalist Qinwen Zheng in straight sets — one of the most surprising women's results of the opening rounds.
7. Elena Rybakina (No. 2) Stunned by Yuliia Starodubtseva in Round 2
The biggest upset of the tournament: 2026 Australian Open champion Rybakina lost 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10-4) to world No. 55 Starodubtseva. Rybakina's 71 unforced errors to Starodubtseva's 36 told the whole story. Swiatek is now the heavy favorite in the bottom half.
8. Jasmine Paolini (No. 13) Beaten by Solana Sierra in Round 2
Defending finalist Paolini, hampered by a foot injury, couldn't sustain her level against an aggressive Solana Sierra — who had already knocked out Raducanu in round 1. Final score: 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
9. Heartbreak for Hailey Baptiste: A Serious Injury Ends a Breakthrough Campaign
No. 26 seed Baptiste — coming off a stunning win over world No. 1 Sabalenka in Madrid — retired in round 2 against Wang Xiyu after her left knee buckled mid-rally at 5-4 in the first set. She was helped off the court in a wheelchair in tears. A potentially season-ending injury for a player who had been in the form of her life.
What Does All This Mean for the Rest of Roland-Garros 2026?
With Fritz, Medvedev, Bublik, Rybakina, Paolini, and Pegula all out, the 2026 French Open draw is one of the most open in recent years. On the men's side, Jannik Sinner looks the clear favorite after a dominant first-round win, with the early exits of three top 10 seeds making his path considerably easier. On the women's side, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff — last year's finalists — look increasingly likely to collide in the semifinals once more, while Iga Swiatek quietly becomes the favorite in the bottom half with Rybakina gone.
One thing is certain: Paris 2026 is far from over — and it's already given us more drama than most Grand Slams deliver in two weeks.
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