Zachary Svajda extends Roland Garros dream on late father's birthday with third-round win

Raise your hand if you had Zachary Svajda as the first American man to reach the second week of this year’s Roland Garros.

The 23-year-old is just as surprised as the next person to have achieved his best major result this week in Paris. After coming through a pair of four-set wins, Svajda outlasted established dirt baller Francisco Cerundolo Saturday in his 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3 victory.

“I'm definitely shocked, surprised for sure. It hasn't kicked in yet,” the world No. 85 told press afterwards.

“I knew I would get good on the clay. I thought maybe in a few years, but I never expected right now. I'm very grateful and blessed and just taking it all in.”

It's like I'm dreaming right now, in a dream. It's crazy. Today was so special, too, because it's also my dad's birthday. Zachary Svajda

Svajda admitted to feeling it in his legs after going up two sets, but shortened points as Cerundolo raised his level. And, as he believes, had some transcendent help when the match went down to the wire.

“It's like I'm dreaming right now, in a dream. It's crazy. Today was so special, too, because it's also my dad's birthday,” he shared. “I know he's watching from above. It just makes it so special.”

Coming into the French Open, Svajda had posted one win on clay this year. Putting an overall 3-7 start to the season in tour-level matches behind him, the San Diego, Calif. native will smash his previous career-high ranking of No. 82 no matter his result against Flavio Cobolli.

The Italian was one of several peers to approach Svajda afterwards, along with the U.S. man with the most Grand Slam experience left in the draw: Frances Tiafoe.

“He was super happy for me. He gave me a big hug. He was just talking how good I'm playing,” Svajda recalled. “He was shocked too. ‘Like, Dude, this is clay court, what's going on?’ I'm, like, ‘Dude, I have no idea what's going on.’ He's a great guy. It was funny.”

Cobolli dismissed Geneva champion Learner Tien, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3, to achieve his best result at the clay-court major.