French Riviera Open 2026: Sikhosana stuns Ratzlaff as Spaargaren survives Olsson thriller
Day 2 of the French Riviera Open 2026 delivered surprises and hard-fought battles at the Mouratoglou Academy in Biot. Alwande Sikhosana produced the performance of the day by knocking out Casey Ratzlaff, while Ruben Spaargaren needed three sets to end Stefan Olsson’s impressive comeback run. In the women’s draw, the leading contenders safely progressed, while the Quad doubles semi-final line-up is now complete.
Alwande Sikhosana produces the upset of the day
The biggest surprise of the day came in the men’s singles draw.
South Africa’s Alwande Sikhosana produced an impressive performance to defeat American Casey Ratzlaff, the No.8 seed, in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.
A statement win for Sikhosana, who knocks out one of the seeded players and moves on at the French Riviera Open.
Ruben Spaargaren survives Stefan Olsson thriller
He was one of the most eagerly anticipated players at this year’s tournament – and Stefan Olsson showed that he can still compete with the very best.
The former world No.2 and 2012 Paralympic doubles champion made his long-awaited return to competition at the French Riviera Open after receiving a wild card from the tournament organisers.
Against the Netherlands’ Ruben Spaargaren, Olsson showed that his level remains remarkably high. The Swede took the opening set 6-4 before Spaargaren fought his way back into a gripping three-set contest.
The Dutchman eventually prevailed 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in one of the most closely fought matches of the day.
Olsson may be out of the singles draw, but his comeback in Biot has already left its mark on this year’s tournament.
Gustavo Fernandez made to work for his win
There was no early exit for Gustavo Fernandez, although the Argentinian had to dig deep to secure his place in the next round.
The No.2 seed faced a resilient Daniel Rodrigues, with the Brazilian pushing Fernandez all the way to a tie-break in the opening set.
Once that first set was secured, Fernandez gradually took control, eventually completing a 7-6, 6-2 victory to continue his French Riviera Open campaign.
Women’s favourites safely through
There was less drama in the women’s singles draw, with the leading contenders progressing without major difficulty.
China’s Luoyao Guo is safely through and will face No.2 seed Aniek van Koot in the quarter-finals.
A finalist at the French Riviera Open in 2025, the Dutchwoman advanced by defeating France’s Pauline Déroulède and remains firmly in contention for another deep run in Biot.
Quad doubles semi-final line-up confirmed
There was no Quad singles action on Wednesday, but the doubles draw produced its four semi-finalist teams.
Sam Schröder and Jin Woodman will face Leandro Pena and Gregory Slade for a place in the final.
On the other side of the draw, Shawn Courchesne and Benjamin Wenzel produced a surprise win over Francisco Cayulef and Gonzalo Lazarte. The Canadian-Australian pairing will now take on Ahmet Kaplan and Andy Lapthorne in the semi-finals.
Two intriguing contests are in store as the Quad doubles tournament reaches its closing stages.
Chasteau and Houdet make winning starts
Day 2 also saw France’s two No.1 players make successful starts to their French Riviera Open campaigns.
Marseille’s Ksénia Chasteau, world No.7, defeated Chile’s Macarena Cabrillana 6-3, 6-3.
In the men’s draw, Stéphane Houdet, world No.6 and a finalist at the 2025 French Riviera Open, produced a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory over American Conner Stroud.
Houdet also enjoyed success in the doubles alongside Guilhem Laget, with the French pairing defeating Nicolas Charrier and Guy Cooper 6-4, 6-2.
The challenge steps up again on Thursday. Chasteau will face Dutch No.7 seed Jinte Bos, while Houdet takes on No.5 seed Tom Egberink in what promises to be a closely contested encounter.
French Riviera Open action continues on Thursday
The French Riviera Open continues on Thursday at the Mouratoglou Academy in Biot, with the draws narrowing and places in the latter stages of the tournament increasingly at stake.
Matches can be watched live at the Mouratoglou Academy or via the French Riviera Open YouTube channel.
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