The Seven Best French Open Matches

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 11 July 2024

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

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Best French Open Matches

• French Open Greatest Matches
• Best Roland Garros Matches: Graf’s Stunning 1999 Comeback
• Chang’s Underhand Serve Shock
• Lendl Ends McEnroe’s Streak
• Evert Outlasts Navratilova
• Noah Thrills French Fans
• Seles Prevails in Graf Classic
• Nadal Edges Djokovic in Epic Showdown

The French Open, also known as Roland Garros, has been the stage for some of the most unforgettable matches in tennis history. From epic five-set marathons to stunning upsets, the red clay courts of Paris have provided countless memorable moments over the years.

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the greatest matches ever played at the French Open!

French Open Greatest Matches

The French Open, one of the four Grand Slam tournaments, has been a fixture in the tennis world since 1891. Throughout its history, the tournament has seen some of the most remarkable matches ever played, with legendary players like Chris Evert, Rafael Nadal, and Steffi Graf gracing the red clay courts of Roland Garros.

From Michael Chang’s underhand serve in 1989 to Steffi Graf’s emotional farewell in 1999, the French Open greatest matches have provided fans with countless unforgettable moments.

Whether you’re here to learn about the best French Open matches in history or how to bet on the French Open tennis, we’ve got you covered!

Best Roland Garros Matches: Graf’s Stunning 1999 Comeback

Ask tennis fans what they think is one of the best Roland Garros matches and there’s a strong chance they’ll say Steffi Graf’s victory over Martina Hingis in the 1999 French Open.

Graf, who was playing in her last French Open, had already announced her plans to retire later that year. At 29 years old, she was facing the top-seeded Hingis, who was just 18 at the time and had already won five Grand Slam titles.

The match began with Hingis taking control, winning the first set 6-4 and going up a break in the second. However, a controversial moment occurred when Hingis disputed a line call and crossed over to Graf’s side of the court, resulting in a point penalty. This incident appeared to put Hingis off her game, and it spurred on Graf, who fought back to win the second set 7-5.

In the deciding set, Graf’s experience proved to be the difference. Despite Hingis’s underhand serves, the German legend regained focus and won the match 6-2 in the third set. The win marked Graf’s 22nd and final Grand Slam singles title, tying her with Helen Wills Moody for the most in history at the time.

It was a superb tennis match to watch and undoubtedly one of the best French Open matches. And, if you want to find online sportsbooks with tennis markets so you can bet on the next French Open yourself, make sure to check out our sports betting site reviews!

Chang’s Underhand Serve Shock

Michael Chang’s fourth-round victory over Ivan Lendl at the 1989 French Open is another of the greatest Roland Garros matches in history. Chang, just 17 years old at the time, faced off against the world number one and three-time French Open champion Lendl in a match that would test his physical and mental limits.

After losing the first two sets 4-6, 4-6, Chang found himself struggling with severe leg cramps in the third set. Despite the pain, he managed to win the set 6-3 and stay alive in the match. In the fourth set, Lendl grew increasingly frustrated with the umpire and was penalized a point and a game, allowing Chang to even the match at two sets each.

In the fifth set, Chang’s cramps worsened to the point where he could barely move. In a desperate attempt to conserve energy, he began hitting high arcing “moon balls” and even resorted to serving underhand. This unexpected change caught Lendl off guard, and Chang managed to break his serve to take a 4-3 lead.

At 15-30 in the next game, Chang shocked everyone by serving underhand again. He won the point and eventually held serve, putting the pressure back on Lendl.

In the end, it was Lendl who cracked, double-faulting on match point to give Chang the victory – something almost nobody could have predicted just a few games earlier!

Lendl Ends McEnroe’s Streak

The 1984 French Open final between John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl is another of the best Roland Garros matches ever – and it ended the incredible 42-match winning streak that McEnroe carried into the match. McEnroe, known for his temper and superb serve-and-volley game, had been nearly unbeatable in the months leading up to the French Open, winning tournaments on both hard courts and clay.

Lendl, on the other hand, was still seeking his first Grand Slam title and had never beaten McEnroe in a major tournament. McEnroe started the match dominating Lendl, winning the first two sets 6-3, 6-2, and was seemingly on his way to an easy victory.

However, a controversial moment in the third set would prove to be a turning point in the match. McEnroe, frustrated by the sound of a cameraman’s headset, demanded that the noise be stopped. When it wasn’t, he yelled “shut up” into the microphone, which caused the crowd to boo him – and put him off his game.

Lendl seized the opportunity, winning the third set 6-4 and then the fourth set 7-5 to even the match. In the fifth set, McEnroe had a chance to take back control, holding three break points at 1-1. However, he failed to do so – and Lendl held on to take the set and the match 3-6, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, 7-5!

Evert Outlasts Navratilova

The 1985 French Open final between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova was one of the French Open greatest matches, between two of the greatest players in tennis history. Evert, the clay court specialist, and Navratilova, the women’s number one at the time, had met in numerous matches before, but this one would prove to be their most memorable.

Navratilova had won the previous four Grand Slam titles and was enjoying a 15-match winning streak against Evert. However, the slow clay courts of Roland Garros had always suited Evert, and she was determined to prove that she could still compete with her greatest rival.

The match began with Evert taking the first set 6-3, In the second set, Navratilova fought back, with a powerful serve levelling the match with a 7-6 victory.

The deciding set was a tense, back-and-forth affair, with both players trading breaks of serve and power shifts. Evert found herself down 2-4 and 0-40 on her serve, facing the possibility of a devastating defeat. However, she dug deep and managed to hold serve, then broke Navratilova in the next game to get back on even terms.

She held serve at 5-5, then broke Navratilova one last time to win the match 6-3, 6-7, 7-5. It was an incredible match to watch, and, unsurprisingly, has been coined one of the best women’s tennis finals ever!

Noah Thrills French Fans

In 1983, Yannick Noah, a charismatic player with a powerful serve and aggressive net game, became the first Frenchman in 37 years to win the French Open. Wilander, the defending champion and third-ranked player at the time, was the heavy favorite – but proved to be no match for Noah.

The match began with Noah winning the first set 6-2. Wilander fought back in the second set, but Noah was able to stay focused and won the second set 7-5 to take a commanding lead.

In the third set, Wilander tried to mount a comeback, but Noah’s serve and forehand were too powerful. He won the set 7-6 to complete the straight-sets victory, falling to his knees in celebration as the crowd erupted in cheers!

The win was a landmark moment for Noah, who became an instant national hero in France. His win had a huge impact on French tennis, and it inspired a brand-new generation of players, with Henri Leconte Noah citing him as an inspiration!

Seles Prevails in Graf Classic

The 1992 French Open final between Monica Seles and Steffi Graf was another epic match, with two world-class players taking each other on at the peak of their careers. Seles, the world number one and defending champion, was just 18 years old but had already won five Grand Slam titles. Graf, the world number two and three-time French Open champion, was 22 and widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history.

The match began with Seles taking control, winning the first set 6-2. Graf fought back in the second set, winning 6-3 to even the match and set the stage for a thrilling final set.

Before long, Seles found herself down 3-5 and facing match point on her own serve, but she fought back with a series of clutch shots to level the set at 5-5.

The third set was a long one, but Seles eventually took it 10-8 to claim her third straight French Open title and her sixth Grand Slam championship overall.

Unfortunately, in later years, Seles failed to perform as she did in 1992. She would go on to win one more Grand Slam title at the 1996 Australian Open, but she never quite got back to the same level of ability that she had shown in the early 1990s.

Graf, however, went on to win 22 Grand Slam titles in her career, including four more at the French Open. She retired in 1999, and, today, is widely regarded as one of the greatest female tennis players in history.

Nadal Edges Djokovic in Epic Showdown

The final match we’re looking at today took place during the 2013 French Open semifinal. It was played between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, and before the match had even begun, it was being coined as “a match for the ages.”

Nadal, the eight-time French Open champion, and Djokovic, the world number one and winner of six Grand Slam titles, had played one another plenty of times before, but this one would prove to be one of their most memorable.

The match began with Nadal taking the first set 6-4, using his signature topspin forehand and incredible court coverage to keep Djokovic on the defensive. Djokovic fought back in the second set, winning it 6-3 with a combination of precise serving and aggressive baseline play.

The third set was a turning point in the match, with Nadal winning it 6-1 to take a two-sets-to-one lead. However, Djokovic refused to go down without a fight, and he won the fourth set 7-6 in a tiebreak to force a final fifth set.

Nadal took an early lead, but Djokovic fought back to level the set at 4-4. Finally, at 7-7 in the fifth set, Nadal was able to break Djokovic’s serve and then hold his own to win the match 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7, 9-7. The victory was Nadal’s 58th win in 59 matches at the French Open and his 20th straight win at the tournament, and one of the most legendary French Open wins.

It was an incredible match for viewers to watch – and both players have gone on to dominate in tennis since. Here’s an interesting look at the two players: