Jesper de Jong has turned a rough season into a breakout run in Paris, reaching the Roland Garros fourth round after starting the year with a 1-8 record at tour level. The Dutchman, who entered the main draw as a lucky loser, will face second seed Alexander Zverev on Sunday, the day he turns 26.
De Jong lost in the final round of qualifying but was drafted into the tournament when Arthur Fils withdrew. Ranked No. 106 in the ATP Rankings, he is now enjoying his best Grand Slam result.
De Jong’s Eventful Path to Success
His path has been eventful. He opened with a four-set win over 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka, who is playing the clay-court major for the last time, then defeated Italian teenager Federico Cina. In the third round, he toppled World No. 15 Karen Khachanov in a five-set battle that lasted four hours and 19 minutes, marking the biggest victory of his career by ranking. That result lifted his five-set record to 5-1, with three of those wins coming at Roland Garros.
Zverev, a three-time major finalist and last year’s runner-up in Paris, beat De Jong in the second round here in 2025 after dropping the opening set. De Jong attributes his surge this week to a tougher training regimen and a renewed mental approach, including work with specialists off the court. He is now preparing for the significant physical challenge that Zverev presents.
A win on Court Philippe-Chatrier would not only bring De Jong his first victory over a Top-10 opponent, but it would also secure him a spot in his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final, a remarkable achievement considering his tumultuous start to the season. As he gears up for this crucial match, all eyes will be on the young Dutch star, who has proven that perseverance and hard work can lead to success on the grandest stages of tennis.