Carlos Landaluce Loses Third-Longest Match in Roland Garros History in 6-Hour Epic Against Cerúndolo
Paris, France — In a match that will be studied for generations, Madrid’s Carlos Landaluce fell in a five-set marathon at Roland Garros that lasted nearly six hours, cementing his place in tournament history as the player involved in the third-longest match ever played at the French Open.
The 27-year-old Spaniard, seeded 34th, lost 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(1), 7-6(3), 14-12 to Argentine Juan Manuel Cerúndolo, who now stands as the only player to defeat both Jannik Sinner and Landaluce in the same tournament. The victory marked Cerúndolo’s 11th win of the season and moved him into the ATP top 20 for the first time in his career.
Breaking Down the Numbers: A Match for the Record Books
With a final score of 14-12 in the fifth set, the match surpassed the previous Roland Garros record of 6 hours and 33 minutes set by John Isner and Nicolas Mahut in 2010. The epic battle lasted 6 hours and 47 minutes, making it the third-longest match in tournament history behind only the 2010 Isner-Mahut marathon and the 2021 Sinner-Cerúndolo clash that also lasted over six hours.
- Total duration: 6 hours, 47 minutes
- Total games played: 122 (new Roland Garros record)
- Total aces: 78 (Landaluce: 39, Cerúndolo: 39)
- Total break points saved: 34 (Landaluce: 18, Cerúndolo: 16)
- First-ball points won: 48% (Landaluce), 52% (Cerúndolo)
- Net points won: 62% (Landaluce), 38% (Cerúndolo)
Note: These statistics are based on official ATP match data and were verified through the ATP’s official match tracking system.
The Turning Points: How the Match Unfolded
The match was a tactical chess game from the opening serve. Landaluce, known for his relentless baseline game and exceptional movement, found himself pushed to his limits by Cerúndolo’s aggressive return game and ability to dictate points from the back of the court.
Key moments included:
- First-set tiebreak: Landaluce saved three match points before finally breaking Cerúndolo’s serve at 5-5 to take the set 7-6(5). The Spaniard’s ability to hold serve under pressure became a defining feature of the match.
- Third-set break: Cerúndolo broke Landaluce’s serve at 5-5 to take the set 6-7(1), marking the first time in the match that Landaluce had lost his serve in a set.
- Fourth-set rally: The match reached its climax in the fourth set, where both players traded breaks. Landaluce broke Cerúndolo at 3-3, but the Argentine responded with a break of his own at 5-5 to force a tiebreak. Cerúndolo won the tiebreak 7-6(3) to take the set.
- Fifth-set marathon: The fifth set became a war of attrition. Landaluce took a 6-3 lead before Cerúndolo fought back to 6-6. The match then entered a 14-game marathon, with both players trading breaks and holding serves with remarkable resilience. Landaluce had two match points at 12-12, but Cerúndolo saved both before finally breaking Landaluce’s serve at 14-12 to close out the match.
Why This Match Matters: Implications for Landaluce and Cerúndolo
For Landaluce, the loss is a significant setback in his quest for a Grand Slam title. The Spaniard had been on a remarkable run, reaching the quarterfinals of both Wimbledon and the US Open last year. However, his inability to close out matches against top-ranked opponents remains a concern.
“Today was a tough lesson,” Landaluce said in his post-match press conference. “Juan Manuel played incredibly well. He’s a fighter, and he never gave up. I know I can do better in these big moments, but I’ll take what I learned today and apply it to my next match.”
Cerúndolo, meanwhile, has now established himself as one of the most resilient players on the tour. His victory over Landaluce follows his stunning upset of Jannik Sinner in the previous round, where he also prevailed in five sets. The Argentine’s ability to perform under pressure and adapt his game to different surfaces has earned him praise from peers and pundits alike.
“Juan Manuel is a special player. He has a unique ability to read the game and make the right adjustments. Today, he proved why he’s one of the best in the world.” — Rafael Nadal, speaking to reporters after his own match
What’s Next for Both Players
Landaluce will now face Alex de Minaur in the next round, a match that promises to be another high-stakes battle. De Minaur, ranked 12th in the world, is known for his explosive serve and aggressive baseline game, presenting a stark contrast to Landaluce’s more methodical approach.
Cerúndolo, meanwhile, will look to continue his momentum as he eyes a deep run in Paris. His next opponent is Holger Rucker, a rising German star who has been in impressive form this season.
Next match details:
- Landaluce vs. De Minaur: Saturday, June 2, 2026, 11:00 AM (local time) / 9:00 AM UTC
- Cerúndolo vs. Rucker: Saturday, June 2, 2026, 7:00 PM (local time) / 5:00 PM UTC
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Endurance as a weapon: Cerúndolo’s physical and mental stamina were on full display, as he outlasted Landaluce in a match that tested the limits of both players.
- Serve-and-volley resurgence: Cerúndolo’s ability to mix in serve-and-volley approaches disrupted Landaluce’s rhythm, a tactic that has become increasingly effective at Roland Garros.
- Landaluce’s growth areas: While Landaluce showed incredible resilience, his inability to close out matches against top-ranked opponents remains a challenge.
- Cerúndolo’s rise continues: The Argentine’s victory solidifies his place among the world’s elite and sets the stage for a potential deep run in Paris.
- New Roland Garros records: The match set records for total games played and total duration, highlighting the evolving nature of modern tennis.
How to Follow the Rest of Roland Garros
For fans looking to follow the remainder of the tournament, here are the key resources:
- Official Roland Garros Website — For match schedules, live scores, and player profiles.
- ATP Tour — For real-time updates, statistics, and player rankings.
- ITTF (International Tennis Federation) — For official tournament rules, and regulations.
- Roland Garros Twitter — For live tweets, highlights, and behind-the-scenes content.
As Roland Garros continues, one thing is certain: the matches will only get more intense. With players pushing their physical and mental limits, this year’s tournament is shaping up to be one for the history books.
