Novak Djokovic's wait for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title goes on after teenage star Joao Fonseca produced a stunning fightback to win a five-set epic in the French Open third round.
Djokovic was the only player left in the draw who had won a major title and was arguably the favourite to go all the way after world number one Jannik Sinner lost on Thursday.
But after winning the first two sets, Djokovic was gradually overpowered by 19-year-old Fonseca, who hit back to force a decider.
In front of a raucous crowd, Fonseca battled back from 3-1 down in the fifth set to win 4-6 4-6 6-3 7-5 7-5 after a gruelling four hours and 53 minutes.
Fonseca is the first teenager to beat Djokovic at a major, a testament to the coolness he showed under pressure against one of the game's all-time greats.
It is only the third time in 22 appearances that Djokovic has failed to reach the second week at Roland Garros.
With Sinner out and Carlos Alcaraz skipping the clay-court major because of injury, Djokovic, who has not added to his tally since lifting the 2023 US Open, will be left wondering whether his best opportunity of winning that elusive 25th Grand Slam has been wrenched from his grasp.
Fonseca will face two-time finalist Casper Ruud, who beat 24th seed Tommy Paul in five sets, in round four.
He is also joined by second seed and 2024 runner-up Alexander Zverev, who beat Quentin Halys in four sets, and 19-year-old Rafael Jodar - who has emerged as a genuine title contender after winning 18 of his 21 clay-court matches in 2026.
Source: BBC Sports
Source: BBC Sports
