Elena Rybakina Crashes Out, Novak Djokovic Faces Blockbuster
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May 28, 2026
Elena Rybakina has been knocked out of Roland Garros in the biggest shock of the tournament so far.
The former Wimbledon champion has been a quarter-finalist twice on the Parisian clay. But this year she hasn’t even made it as far as the first weekend.
Yulia Starodubtseva stayed calm despite the enormity of the occasion when the match reached a definitive ten-point breaker in the deciding set.
The Ukrainian outsider triumphed 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10-4). ‘I’m super happy,’ she said. ‘Elena is one of the top players and she has had an incredible year.’
Second-seed Rybakina admitted: ‘It’s just a pity because I think I was practising well before the French Open. This was a very bad performance with too many unforced errors.’
Elena Rybakina will aim to come storming back at Wimbledon 2026 – and should still be one of the favourites at the All England Club.
Meanwhile Novak Djokovic will have his work cut out to progress further than round three at Roland Garros.
The brilliant Serb saw off Valentin Royer 6-3, 6-2, 6-7, (7-9), 6-3. But Novak’s next opponent is young sensation Joao Fonseca.
The 19-year-old with the huge Brazilian support is capable of beating anyone on his day. He just outlasted Dino Prizmic 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-2.
And Djokovic certainly won’t want to get involved in a five-set dogfight against one of the most exciting players on the tour.
Novak will have to use all his tactical know-how to strangle Fonseca’s talent from start to finish. That’s if Nole is to stay on course for a record 25th Grand Slam.
But Fonseca will fancy his chances in a mouth-watering match up, which allows the South American to play with no pressure on his shoulders.
Elena Rybakina, Novak Djokovic and Joao Fonseca will all be hoping for glory at Wimbledon 2026.
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