In a shocking upset, Italian tennis player Matteo Gigante, ranked 167th globally, defeated Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, the world number 20, in the second round of Roland Garros 2025 on Wednesday, May 28, at the Simonne Mathieu court in Paris. The match, lasting three hours and six minutes, ended with scores of 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, and 6-4, marking Tsitsipas’ worst performance at the tournament since 2018. Emerging from the qualifying rounds, Gigante now faces American Ben Shelton in the third round, while Tsitsipas, the 2021 finalist, faces a significant ranking drop. The match highlighted a rising star’s breakthrough against an established favorite, captivating fans at the French Grand Slam.
Tsitsipas’ defeat, as one of the most consistent players on Parisian clay in recent years, stunned spectators at the Simonne Mathieu court. Gigante, aged 23, displayed remarkable composure against a seasoned opponent, capitalizing on critical errors by the Greek. The Italian, who had never advanced past the first round of a Grand Slam, now gears up for a tougher challenge against Shelton.
The match began with both players holding serve in the early games. Gigante, however, found openings in Tsitsipas’ defense, securing the first break in the seventh game of the opening set. The packed stands roared with excitement as the contest intensified.
- Key moments: Gigante won 54% of points on Tsitsipas’ serve in the third set.
- Service breaks: The Italian secured four breaks, compared to Tsitsipas’ two.
- Match duration: The duel was the longest on the Simonne Mathieu court that day.
Qualifier’s breakthrough performance
Matteo Gigante, a qualifier, showcased both physical and mental resilience to outplay a top-20 player. Hailing from Rome, the Italian had only competed in one prior Grand Slam, falling in the first round of the 2024 US Open. At Roland Garros, his journey began with three convincing wins in the qualifying rounds, including a victory over Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Against Tsitsipas, Gigante employed a varied game, mixing net approaches with deep returns that unsettled the Greek. In the third set, he dominated with an 80% first-serve point win rate, cementing his lead.
Trained at Riccardo Piatti’s academy, formerly home to Jannik Sinner, Gigante has shown steady progress on the Challenger circuit, claiming two titles in 2024. His Paris triumph marks the biggest achievement of his career, positioning him as a rising star in Italian tennis.
Tsitsipas’ Roland Garros record
Stefanos Tsitsipas, 26, arrived in Paris with high expectations after a strong start to 2025, including a title at the ATP 500 in Dubai in March. At Roland Garros, the Greek boasts an impressive resume, reaching the 2021 final, where he lost to Novak Djokovic, and the quarterfinals in 2023 and 2024. His 2025 second-round exit mirrors his 2018 loss to Dominic Thiem, when he was a 19-year-old rising star, unlike the established player he is today.
The Greek struggled in 2025, with early exits at the Australian Open and the 2024 US Open signaling an inconsistent season. In Paris, Tsitsipas committed 38 unforced errors against Gigante, a high count for his standards, and managed only a 60% first-serve success rate. The loss will cost him approximately 360 ranking points, potentially dropping him out of the top 25 for the first time since 2018.
- Previous campaigns: Finalist in 2021, quarterfinalist in 2023 and 2024.
- Recent low: Second-round exit in 2018 against Dominic Thiem.
- Points lost: Tsitsipas was defending 360 points from the 2024 quarterfinals.
Gigante’s meteoric rise
Standing at just 1.78 meters, Matteo Gigante compensates for his height with agility and precision. His win over Tsitsipas was no fluke but the result of rigorous preparation. In 2024, he competed in 12 Challenger events, reaching five finals and winning in Tenerife and Vicenza. His playing style, blending baseline consistency with tactical variety, proved effective on clay, a surface that suits his movement.
In his post-match interview, Gigante credited the qualifying rounds for boosting his confidence. He won three consecutive matches before the main draw, including against Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo. Those experiences helped him stay composed against Tsitsipas, particularly in the fourth set, when the Greek mounted a comeback attempt.
Upcoming clash with Ben Shelton
Gigante’s next opponent is Ben Shelton, the world number 13, who advanced after Frenchman Hugo Gaston withdrew due to injury. Shelton, 22, is known for his powerful serve and aggressive play, contrasting with Gigante’s defensive approach. The American progressed without completing the second set against Gaston, gaining extra rest for the next match.
Shelton, a 2023 US Open quarterfinalist, aims for his best Roland Garros showing, having never passed the third round. The matchup with Gigante, set for Friday, May 30, will test the Italian’s endurance against a player with a 71% first-serve win rate in 2025.
- Shelton’s stats: 28 aces in two Roland Garros 2025 matches.
- Clay court record: Shelton won 12 of 18 clay matches in 2024.
- Head-to-head: Gigante and Shelton have never faced each other.
Reactions across the tennis world
Tsitsipas’ elimination sparked widespread discussion among players and fans. In his press conference, the Greek praised Gigante’s tenacity. Other players, like American Frances Tiafoe, who reached the third round, noted the tournament’s unpredictability, with upsets across multiple draws. Italian fans at the Simonne Mathieu court celebrated Gigante’s win, drawing parallels to young stars like Jannik Sinner.
Social media posts reflected the result’s significance. Tsitsipas’ supporters expressed disappointment, while others lauded Gigante’s boldness. A tennis-focused Italian account noted that the win marks the best performance by an Italian qualifier at Roland Garros since Marco Cecchinato in 2018.
Other upsets at Roland Garros 2025
The 2025 Roland Garros has been defined by unexpected outcomes. Beyond Tsitsipas, world number 5 Daniil Medvedev fell in the first round to Britain’s Cameron Norrie. The women’s draw also saw top players like Maria Sakkari and Jessica Pegula eliminated by opponents ranked outside the top 50. These results underscore the tournament’s fierce competition, with young talents challenging established names.
In the men’s draw, players like Brazil’s 18-year-old João Fonseca also shone, reaching the second round in his debut. The next generation, including Gigante and Fonseca, is seizing opportunities to make a mark in Paris.
- Major upsets: Medvedev, Sakkari, and Pegula exited early.
- Rising stars: Fonseca and Henrique Rocha reached the second round.
- Qualifier highlights: Gigante is the second qualifier to beat a top-20 player in 2025.
ATP ranking implications
Tsitsipas’ defeat will impact his ATP ranking significantly. Once ranked number 3, he was defending 360 points from the 2024 quarterfinals. Earning only 45 points for the second round, he faces a net loss of 315 points, likely pushing him near the 25th spot, his lowest ranking since 2018. The drop reflects a challenging year, with just one title in 2025 and early exits in three of four Grand Slams.
For Gigante, the win secures 90 ranking points, edging him closer to the top 100 for the first time. Reaching the fourth round could earn him a direct entry into larger tournaments, reducing his reliance on qualifiers.
Tournament overview
Roland Garros 2025 continues with top seeds like Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Alexander Zverev advancing smoothly. Sinner, the world number 1, faces Frenchman Corentin Moutet in the third round, while Alcaraz, the defending champion, takes on American Sebastian Korda. Zverev, the 2024 runner-up, also reached the third round after defeating American Learner Tien. The men’s draw remains open, with Tsitsipas and Medvedev’s exits creating opportunities for surprises in later stages.
In the women’s draw, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek remain favorites, though Sakkari and Pegula’s losses have paved the way for players like Mirra Andreeva and Marketa Vondrousova. The tournament, concluding on June 8, promises thrilling battles in the coming rounds.
- Men’s favorites: Sinner, Alcaraz, and Zverev in the third round.
- Women’s favorites: Gauff and Swiatek advance with strong wins.
- Upcoming matches: The men’s draw features 16 matches on Friday, May 30.
Atmosphere and fan engagement
The Simonne Mathieu court, known for its intimate setting, hosted one of the tournament’s biggest surprises. The crowd, including French, Italian, and Greek fans, created a lively atmosphere, with chants and applause punctuating each point. Gigante, who thanked supporters in Italian after the match, won over spectators with his determination. Italian fans, buoyed by Sinner’s recent success, provided a boost for the young qualifier.
Roland Garros organizers reported a 10% increase in ticket sales for 2025, with secondary courts like Simonne Mathieu drawing significant crowds. The tournament, a cornerstone of Paris’ economy, reinforces its status as a premier global sporting event.
Tsitsipas’ clay court legacy
Despite the loss, Tsitsipas remains a clay court standout. With three Monte Carlo titles and a Roland Garros final, he holds a 68% win rate on clay since 2020. His early exit raises questions about his Grand Slam consistency, as he hasn’t reached a semifinal since 2021. After parting ways with his father as coach in 2024, Tsitsipas is working with a new team to regain his peak form.
Gigante, meanwhile, joins Italy’s emerging talents, including Sinner, Lorenzo Musetti, and Matteo Berrettini. His Paris performance could signal the start of a promising career, particularly on clay, where Italians have a strong tradition.
- Tsitsipas’ clay titles: Monte Carlo (2021, 2022, 2024).
- Italian rising stars: Sinner, Musetti, and now Gigante in the spotlight.
- Upcoming events: Tsitsipas will compete at Wimbledon starting June 30.