5 biggest upsets in French Open history

Robin Soderling Rafa Nadal 2009
The relatively inexperienced Soderling ousted reigning champion and King of Clay Rafa Nadal on clay

Chris Woodruff beats Andre Agassi, 1996

Chris Woodruff Andre Agassi French Open
Journeyman Chris Woodruff’s biggest success was his defeat of Agassi

Former World No. 1 Andre Agassi was seeded third at the 1996 French Open, behind top seed Pete Sampras and reigning champion Thomas Muster. He had been in good form that year, but had struggled in the first round at Roland Garros against Spanish qualifier Jacobo Diaz, taken to four sets.

He was up in the next round against unseeded American Chris Woodruff, who could best be described as a journeyman; Woodruff was skilled, but did not have much by way of success in his tennis career.

The eight-time Grand Slam winner played such a patchy, error-strewn second-round game that Woodruff beat him 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (7-9), 6-3, 6-2. He was so disappointed following the loss that he refused to attend the post-match ceremony, and was fined for his behaviour.

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