More surprises?: Roland Garros 2025 might host an unexpected player in the quarter-finals

This year’s Roland Garros is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable editions in recent memory. With several upsets in just three days of competition, the French Open, particularly in one quarter of the mens draw might be cooking a surprising quarterfinalist. The combination of an unusual draw and early exits from several favorites has thrown the tournament wide open right from the get-go.

The American unit

The draw grouped four seeded Americans: Taylor Fritz, Alex Michelsen, Sebastian Korda, and Frances Tiafo, all into the same quarter. None are clay-court specialists, and the unpredictability of the surface quickly became apparent. Fritz, the fourth seed, and Michelsen, seeded 32nd, suffered first-round defeats. That leaves Korda and Tiafoe as the remaining hopes from their group. While both have advanced past their openers, neither has ever reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros.

Joining them in this wide-open section are six other players, most of whom are not household names. The most experienced is Spain's Pablo Carreño Busta, a former Top 10 player and two-time quarterfinalist in Paris, now ranked 99th. He faces Tiafoe for a spot in the third round. Jenson Brooksby, who recently won the Houston title, is also in the mix, though he admits to discomfort on European clay.

Other contenders include Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerúndolo, playing his maiden French Open main draw; Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic; Czech Vit Kopriva; and German Daniel Altmaier, who has previously caused upsets in Paris.

Ruud, the obvious candidate

With none of these players having left a significant mark at Roland Garros before, the stage is set for a fresh face to break through. Whoever emerges from this section is likely to face Casper Ruud, the two-time finalist, in the quarterfinals, making this one of the most intriguing storylines of the tournament. Will the norwegian be up to the challenge?