Paris, FRANCE — For many years, the red clay of Paris has been one of the most difficult surfaces for the stars of American men’s tennis to find success on. The last time an American man reached the quarterfinals at Roland-Garros was Andre Agassi — way back in 2003.

That long drought came to an end this week. Three American men — Tommy Paul (USA), Ben Shelton (USA), and Frances Tiafoe (USA) — advanced to the fourth round, before Tiafoe and Paul secured their spots in the final eight.

Tiafoe, a Washington D.C. native who reached the semifinals at the US Open in 2022 and 2024, had never previously made it past the third round at Roland Garros. In fact, he had lost in the first round six times. But this year, the 27-year-old powered through the first week without dropping a single set across four matches. 

That said, Tiafoe’s form wasn’t perfect coming into the tournament.

“I got killed in practice a couple of days before,” Tiafoe recalled with a smile. “Playing sets with a guy, and I’m getting my butt kicked there. [But then I] found a way to win that set, and I was telling my team that was kind of a big day. Not only that I had that emotion but then I solved it in real time.”

Something clicked for him — and he’s ridden that momentum through the first week.

The other men’s quarterfinalist, Tommy Paul, is a player who has gradually built a stronger relationship with clay. In 2020, he reached the doubles quarterfinals at Roland-Garros. And, he’s made the semifinals at the Rome Masters in both 2024 and 2025.


Unlike Tiafoe, Paul’s path has been full of ups and downs. In the third round, he pulled off a dramatic comeback from two sets down against Marton Fucsovics (HUN) before needing another five setter to out-duel Karen Khachanov.


Paul credits his success to the foundation built in training:

“Yeah, it’s definitely harder than winning straight-set matches. But, I don’t know, I feel like that’s what we train for. I’m definitely happy to get through in any way, whether it’s five sets. If I have to play five sets again in the next match, I’ll do it.”

It’s that patience and mental toughness, crucial on clay, that allowed him to break through another level of psychological barriers, so it seems.

On the women’s side, Madison Keys (USA), has long been used to success here in Paris. She reached the semifinals in 2018 and the quarterfinals in 2019 — and twice more the fourth round. This year, she sailed through the first and second rounds in straight sets. In the third round, she faced fellow American Sophia Kenin and was pushed to the limit, but ultimately prevailed with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 comeback win.

It wasn’t as lucky for another American, Jessica Pegula (USA), who fought hard but couldn’t survive the magic run of French home hope Lois Boisson — the wild card triumphing in the fourth round 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Court Philippe Chatrier. 

This year, 29 men and 42 women in the main draw are using Yonex racquets, the second-highest usage rate among all racquet manufacturers.

As American players rewrite history at Roland Garros, Yonex continues to build a new legacy of its own.

Tommy Paul (USA) | VCORE 98

Ben Shelton (USA) | EZONE 98 / POLYTOUR STRIKE 130 / POLYTOUR PRO 125

Frances Tiafoe (USA) | PERCEPT 97 / POLYTOUR PRO 125

Marton Fucsovics (HUN), | EZONE 98 / POLYTOUR STRIKE 125

Madison Keys (USA) | EZONE 98 / POLYTOUR REV 125