Arnaldi triumphs in five-hour thriller against Tiafoe

By Evelyn Mensah — 2 June 2026 — 2 min read

In a gripping encounter that stretched over five hours and 26 minutes, Matteo Arnaldi, the world No. 104, secured a victory against Frances Tiafoe with a score of 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4. The match, described by Arnaldi as the best he has ever played, concluded after 1 AM on Tuesday morning.

The intense contest saw both players display a high level of tennis, particularly in the later stages. Arnaldi expressed his disbelief at still standing after the match, highlighting the demanding nature of the battle. He noted that at one point, the game transcended tennis, becoming a sheer test of will.

Arnaldi’s marathon run continues

Arnaldi’s victory marks a significant achievement, propelling him into an elite eight encounter against fellow Italian Matteo Berrettini. This match adds to Arnaldi’s considerable time on court during the tournament, with his total reaching 17 hours and 42 minutes. Despite trailing 5-2 in the fourth set and appearing fatigued, Arnaldi found renewed energy, partly attributed to the fans who arrived after the Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka match, allowing him to overcome a two-break deficit.

The match was a heartbreaker for Tiafoe, who had served for the match twice in the fourth set. Both players delivered remarkable shots, hugging the lines, even as the match crossed the five-hour mark. The high-level play continued until the very end, with Arnaldi ultimately emerging as the victor.

Implications for the tournament

With Tiafoe’s loss, and Madison Keys having been defeated earlier in the day, there are no American players remaining in either singles draw at Roland Garros. This marks the first time since 2017 that no Americans have reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, and the first time since 2021 that no Americans are in the quarterfinals of any Grand Slam event.

Conversely, Italy now boasts three players in the draw: Flavio Cobolli, Matteo Berrettini, and Matteo Arnaldi. Berrettini, who won his match earlier in the day in straight sets, could be considered a benefactor of the grueling match between Arnaldi and Tiafoe. Arnaldi now faces the challenging task of recovering from his late-night victory to prepare for his Wednesday match against Berrettini.

The 2026 French Open, characterized by its unpredictable and often chaotic nature, is scheduled to continue through June 7.