French Open 2024 Results: Instant Reactions to Monday's Winners and Losers
Novak Djokovic kept his hopes up of winning back-to-back French Open titles for the first time in his career with a thrilling come-from-behind five-set victory against No. 23 Francisco Cerundolo.
With the win, Djokovic has now reached the French Open quarterfinals in 15 straight years.
In another marquee match in the top half of the draw, No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev also came back to win from a set-down against No. 13 seed Holger Rune.
On the women's side, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina each earned straight-set wins to advance to the quarterfinals, with a likely semifinal match between the two looming.
Monday French Open Results
Men's Singles
No. 1 Novak Djokovic def. No. 23 Francisco Cerundolo, 6-1. 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3
No. 4 Alexander Zverev def. No. 13 Holger Rune, 4-6, 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 (2), 6-2
No. 11 Alex De Minaur def. No. 5 Daniil Medvedev, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-3
No. 7 Casper Ruud def. No. 12 Taylor Fritz, 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
Women's Singles
No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka def. No. 22 Emma Navarro, 6-2, 6-3
No. 4 Elena Rybakina def. No. 15 Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-3
No. 12 Jasmine Paolini def. Elina Avanesyan 4-6, 6-0, 6-1
Can anyone beat Novak Djokovic?
What will it take to stop Novak Djokovic?
Somehow, someway, the 37-year-old is through to his 15th straight French Open quarterfinal appearance after defeating No. 23 seed Francisco Cerundolo in five sets.
Despite injuring his right knee, hindering his ability to move, facing a one-set and service-break deficit, and a tumble in the fifth set, the No. 1 seed once again proved why he's undeniably the greatest tennis player ever.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion has logged a total of nine hours and nine minutes in his last two matches, and following his fourth-round victory, he expressed his uncerainty about whether he'd play Wednesday's quarterfinal match, citing injury concerns and unpleasant court conditions.
If the Serbian does play Wednesday, he will face his toughest test yet against a vengeful Casper Ruud in a match that feels like a coin flip.
Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina Continue to Dominate Bottom Half of the Draw
Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina have coasted through their respective paths into the quarterfinals.
In fact, both join Coco Gauff as the only other women's player to have not dropped a set this entire tournament.
Fueled by dominant serves and consistency, Rybakina enters the quarterfinals for the second time ever, while Sabalenka has previously made the semifinals.
Barring what would be considered a major upset, it is extremely likely that the two will face off in the semifinals.