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Ruud survives five match points at French Open.

5/26/2026

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Summary

Ruud Overcomes

Casper Ruud defeated Roman Safiullin 6-2, 7-6(5), 5-7, 0-6, 6-2 at the French Open.
He suffered dizziness, leg cramps and heat of 33 °C, requiring two medical timeouts and ice towels.
After saving five match points, Ruud dropped the fourth set 0-6, then rallied to win the fifth 6-2.
The 3h56m match on Court Simonne-Mathieu moves world No. 16 Ruud into a second-round clash with world No. 58 Hamad Medjedovic.

Summary

French Open Sizzles

The 2026 French Open is being played in a heat wave with temperatures near 90 °F.
Forecasts predict temperatures will stay above 90 °F for the first two days and drop below that level on Saturday.
Organizers warn that singles-and-doubles players may face two or three consecutive rounds in the heat, raising fatigue and retirement risk.
Analysts say the conditions could prompt a “serve-plus-one” approach, drop shots, and upsets.

Summary

Ruud Faces

Ruud faces Safiullin at the French Open; a win preserves his route to round three.
Ruud has 133 clay wins since 2020, the most among active players, and 13 ATP singles titles, 12 on clay.
Safiullin, whose career high was No. 36 in Jan 2024, entered the French Open ranked No. 142 after qualifying by beating Tom Gentzsch 6-3, 6-7.
The 28-year-old Russian stands 6-1, plays aggressively right-handed and thrives without pressure.

History

Historical Context

After the 2007 Australian Open saw temperatures hit 40 °C and a record nine first-round withdrawals, Tennis Australia revised its 1998 Extreme Heat Policy—later tightened in 2008—to allow stoppages after three consecutive 30 °C readings. The precedent guided the 2026 French Open, where 33 °C conditions left Casper Ruud battling dizziness and cramps, prompting organizers to consider additional breaks.

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Ruud Overcomes

Casper Ruud defeated Roman Safiullin 6-2, 7-6(5), 5-7, 0-6, 6-2 at the French Open.
He suffered dizziness, leg cramps and heat of 33 °C, requiring two medical timeouts and ice towels.
After saving five match points, Ruud dropped the fourth set 0-6, then rallied to win the fifth 6-2.
The 3h56m match on Court Simonne-Mathieu moves world No. 16 Ruud into a second-round clash with world No. 58 Hamad Medjedovic.

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