PARIS — In a stunning upset at the French Open, world No. 167 Jaume Munar defeated fifth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas in a grueling five-set battle, marking one of the biggest shocks of the tournament so far.
The Greek star, a two-time Roland Garros finalist, looked out of sorts throughout the match, struggling with unforced errors and an uncharacteristically weak serve. Munar, a Spanish qualifier ranked outside the top 150, capitalized on Tsitsipas' struggles, securing a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 victory in just over four hours.
A Shocking Collapse for Tsitsipas
Tsitsipas, who reached the final in 2021 and 2023, was widely considered a strong contender for the title this year. However, his performance against Munar was riddled with inconsistencies:
- He committed 54 unforced errors, nearly double Munar's 28.
- His first-serve percentage dropped to 58%, well below his usual standard.
- He struggled on break points, converting only 5 out of 16 opportunities.
- His backhand, typically a weapon, was repeatedly exploited by Munar.
After the match, Tsitsipas admitted, "I wasn’t myself today. I couldn’t find my rhythm, and Jaume played with incredible discipline. He deserved the win."
Munar’s Career-Defining Moment
For Munar, the victory marked the biggest win of his career. The 27-year-old had never before defeated a top-10 player in a Grand Slam. His relentless baseline game and mental resilience proved decisive in the final set.
Speaking to reporters, Munar said, "I knew I had to stay patient. Stefanos is a great champion, but today I believed in myself more than ever. This is a dream come true."
A Day of Upsets at Roland Garros
Tsitsipas wasn’t the only high-profile casualty on a chaotic day in Paris. Other notable upsets included:
- World No. 4 Alexander Zverev falling to unseeded Italian Matteo Arnaldi.
- Former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev losing in straight sets to Tomas Machac.
- Ons Jabeur, a two-time major finalist, crashing out to Clara Tauson.
Tennis analyst Brad Gilbert noted, "This has been one of the most unpredictable first weeks at Roland Garros in years. The conditions are tricky, and the lower-ranked players are taking full advantage."
What’s Next for Tsitsipas?
The loss raises questions about Tsitsipas’ form heading into the grass-court season. After a strong start to 2024, including a title in Monte Carlo, his clay-court campaign has been inconsistent.
His coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, acknowledged the setback but remained optimistic: "Stefanos will regroup. He has the talent to bounce back, but today was a tough lesson."
Conclusion: A Tournament of Surprises
With Tsitsipas, Zverev, and Medvedev all out before the second week, the men’s draw is wide open. Meanwhile, Munar advances to face another underdog, ensuring that this year’s French Open will be remembered for its unpredictability.
As one fan put it on social media, "This is why we love tennis—anyone can win on their day, and today belonged to Jaume Munar."