British duo one win from French Open breakthroughs

British duo one win from French Open breakthroughsImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Before this year’s French Open, Toby Samuel had only won one Grand Slam qualifying match – at Wimbledon in 2023ByHarry PooleBBC Sport journalistPublished20 May 2026, 16:24 BSTUpdated 16 minutes agoTwo British players are just one win away from securing their first Grand Slam singles appearances after setting up the most lucrative matches of their respective careers in French Open qualifying.Toby Samuel was ranked outside the world’s top 1,300 12 months ago but has risen to a career-high 159th after winning four titles on the ATP Challenger Tour – the second tier of men’s professional tennis.The 23-year-old produced a memorable comeback to beat former world number seven David Goffin 5-7 6-3 6-3 in what was the Belgian veteran’s final appearance at Roland Garros, and will now face Peru’s Gonzalo Bueno for a place in the main draw.”First of all, it was an honour to play against David in his last Roland Garros,” Samuel told the crowd on Suzanne Lenglen, the tournament’s second biggest arena.”You’re an inspiration to all tennis players out there, it was amazing sharing the court with you. It was the craziest atmosphere I’ve ever been a part of.”World number 237 Felix Gill also fought back from a set down – and saved two match points in the decider – to overcome former top-40 player Alex Molcan 2-6 7-5 7-6 (11-9).Gill, 23, will take on 147th-ranked Frenchman Kyrian Jacquet for a spot in the Paris main draw.Should either British player win, they will have more than doubled their career earnings this week.Samuel and Gill have both pocketed 57,000 euros (£49,300) by claiming the first two qualifying wins of their careers at an overseas Grand Slam.For Samuel, that has already boosted his career earnings – which stood at £118,300 – by 42%. Gill has earned slightly more, with £154,000.But victory in the final qualifying match is worth an additional 48,000 euros (£41,500) and it would guarantee minimum earnings of 87,000 euros (£75,200) in the main draw first round.Neither player has ever contested a match on the ATP Tour – but now they are both one win away from a first appearance on one of the sport’s biggest stages.Two-time winner Alcaraz out of Wimbledon with injury