Shapovalov’s Roland-Garros comes to an end after comeback falls short against Misolic

Denis Shapovalov’s journey at Roland-Garros 2025 has come to a close after a valiant effort in the third round that saw him fall short in five sets to Austria’s Filip Misolic. Despite mounting an energetic comeback, the Canadian couldn’t complete the turnaround, losing 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 2-6, 6-4 in a match that spanned nearly four hours on the red clay of Paris.

Shapovalov, who has battled injuries and inconsistent form over the past year, showed flashes of his trademark aggression and creativity, particularly in the third and fourth sets where he dictated play from the baseline. After dropping the first two sets due to a slow start and an error-prone backhand, he rallied with renewed energy, breaking Misolic early in the third to ignite his comeback bid. His serve began to click, and he found more rhythm in his groundstrokes, using his one-handed backhand to create angles and openings that had been missing early on.

The momentum clearly shifted as Shapovalov took the fourth set with relative ease, drawing roars from the crowd and a sense of inevitability that he might complete the comeback. However, Misolic remained composed in the decider. The Austrian, playing in his first Roland-Garros main draw, used his heavy topspin and tactical discipline to absorb Shapovalov’s firepower and capitalize on key errors. A single break midway through the final set proved to be the difference.

For Shapovalov, the loss will sting, but there are positives to draw from this campaign. This was his best showing at the French Open since reaching the fourth round in 2020, and his movement and shot selection showed signs of improvement, particularly after his early-season struggles. The Canadian now looks ahead to the grass-court season, where his attacking style and powerful serve are typically more effective.

Meanwhile, Misolic advances to the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career, a breakthrough moment for the 22-year-old from Graz. He will now face a top-seeded opponent, carrying with him the confidence gained from ousting a seasoned player like Shapovalov on one of tennis’s biggest stages.

The match was a reminder of the fine margins in best-of-five tennis and the unpredictable drama that Roland-Garros continues to deliver.