RAGING RUBLEV IMPLODES IN PARIS

World No. 6 is the highest men’s seed to exit Roland Garros after loss to Italian Arnaldi

Italy's Matteo Arnaldi played "the best tennis" of his life to produce a sensational performance on May 31, taking out sixth seed Andrey Rublev and reaching the last 16 of the French Open.

The 23-year-old saved a set point in the opening set and went on to dominate his emotionally charged Russian opponent for a 7-6 (8-6), 6-2, 6-4 victory to equal his best Grand Slam run.

Rublev ranted and raged at himself as the match began to slip away, thumping his racket into his legs and kicking his courtside bench as another chance at a deep Grand Slam run came to a bitter end on the Parisian dust.

Arnaldi, who also reached the fourth round of last season's US Open, was rock solid throughout and barely put a foot wrong as he posted one of the biggest wins of his career.

"I have to thank everyone for coming today. Merci beaucoup (thank you in French)," the Italian, ranked 35th, said after his victory to loud cheers from the French crowd on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.

"It's incredible. I played the best tennis for sure in my life, I would say.