Pablo Carreno Busta has reached the fourth round of the French Open 2026 and, after two difficult years marked by elbow injuries and surgery, appears to be rediscovering his best level. The Spaniard has dropped in the rankings during his struggles, but his performances in Paris suggest a possible return to form. So far, he has played with the confidence and consistency that once made him a top-level clay-court contender.
The most striking improvement has come from his serve, a shot that has traditionally been one of the weaker parts of his game. In the opening round, Carreno Busta produced a remarkable serving display against 12th seed Jiri Lehecka, landing 71 of 71 first serves in a straight-sets victory. That level of precision stood out as one of the most impressive technical displays of the tournament so far.
In the second round, Carreno Busta advanced when Thanasi Kokkinakis retired early in the third set. Although the match ended prematurely, the Spaniard had already shown strong form and control. He followed that result by defeating Thiago Agustin Tirante in four sets, once again posting excellent serve statistics and reinforcing the impression that his game has become sharper and more reliable.
His next challenge comes against fellow Spaniard Rafael Jodar, a 19-year-old rising talent who has made a strong impression this season and entered the tournament as the 27th seed. The matchup brings together experience and youth, with Carreno Busta’s composure and tactical discipline set against Jodar’s energy and pace. Both players prefer baseline rallies, which could create a demanding, physical contest in Paris.
Jodar will need to put aside any distractions and focus fully on the match if he wants to have a chance against the veteran. Carreno Busta’s recent form and match toughness make him a difficult opponent, especially over a long five-set battle. With the Paris heat and the workload both players have already endured, fatigue could become a major factor.
For Carreno Busta, simply being back in the second week of a Grand Slam is a significant achievement after the injuries and setbacks of the past two seasons. His run in Paris has the feel of a turning point. Even if he does not go much further, this French Open could mark the beginning of a strong comeback in 2026 and a steady rise back up the rankings.
