Alcaraz ends Shelton's run in tough four-setter
ATP
Paris
Carlos Alcaraz captured his 100th tour-level win on clay Sunday when he overcame Ben Shelton in an entertaining fourth-round clash at Roland Garros.
On Court Philippe-Chatrier, in a match filled with dynamic shot-making, high-quality net play, and a commendable display of sportsmanship, Alcaraz emerged victorious with a 7-6(8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 triumph in three hours and 19 minutes.
Under the Parisian Sunday sun, both came out firing. Alcaraz saved three set points in the first set to lead and then continued to redirect Shelton's heavy power with his fast hands in the second set to take further control. The American briefly gained a foothold by clinching the third set but Alcaraz responded in the fourth to advance to the quarter-finals at the clay-court major for the fourth consecutive year.
'Today I fought against myself, against the mind,' Alcaraz said. 'I just tried to calm myself. In some moments I was mad, I was angry with myself. Talking not really good things but I am really happy to not let those thoughts play against me. I tried to calm myself down and I tried to keep going. That is what I tried.'
The defending champion in Paris, Alcaraz is chasing his fifth major this fortnight and third clay-court title of the season, having triumphed at ATP Masters 1000 events in Monte-Carlo and Rome.
The Spaniard, who missed Madrid due to an injury, will next meet American Tommy Paul. Alcaraz leads Paul 4-2 in the pair's ATP Head2Head series.
Alcaraz dropped sets against Fabian Marozsan and Damir Dzumhur earlier this week but was pushed much harder by World No. 13 Shelton, who pummelled his groundstrokes in the lively Parisian conditions.
'We have huge respect for each other,' Alcaraz said when asked about Shelton. 'Every time we face each other, we [bring] the top level. We played really good tennis and entertained the fans. He is a really powerful player, he can make any shot. I think we played really great tennis. Coming to the net, drop shots, forehands. For me it is great having Ben around. I think it is great energy for the people and I love watching Ben play.' Alcaraz is aiming to become just the third man this century to successfully defend his Roland Garros title, alongside Rafael Nadal (10 times) and Gustavo Kuerten (2001).
Swiatek battles back
to beat Rybakina
Iga Swiatek looked on the brink of losing her French Open crown but recovered from a set and a break down to extend her winning run at Roland Garros to 25 matches.
The four-time champion has not lost a match at Roland Garros since 2021, but she appeared to be heading for the exit when Elena Rybakina led 6-1, 2-0.
Rybakina, the former Wimbledon champion, had raced into a 5-0 lead after only 20 minutes.
But in a match which eventually lasted two and a half hours, Swiatek came through 1-6, 6-3, 7-5.
The Pole, who turned 24 on Saturday, now matches Monica Seles' 1990s run of 25 match wins at the tournament.
She said: 'It was tough. In the first I felt like I was playing against Jannik Sinner!'
Swiatek will face Elina Svitolina, who sprung a surprise by knocking out fourth seed and last year's runner-up Jasmine Paolini, in the quarter-final.
The 30-year-old from Ukraine saved three match points before winning 4-6, 7-6 (7-8), 6-1 to reach the quarter-finals.
'I would've never believed this match would swing my way,' she said.
'It was a really difficult match, Jasmine was playing really, really well. It was really tough. I had to fight until the last point and I'm very happy to be in the next round.
'Of course it's one or two points which decided the second set. I was really pleased to win the second set and played really well to close the match.
'We are at a grand slam so everyone is playing very well and everyone is fighting. It's all about trying to stay focused and finding the opportunities.' Svitolina's husband, Gael Monfils, was knocked out by Jack Draper in a thrilling four-setter on Thursday night.
'It's important to recover because today was a very difficult match,' she added.
'An ice bath, some food, speak with my brother and Gael as well, enjoy the moment with them and then practice tomorrow to prepare for my next round.' Italian Paolini, who also reached the Wimbledon final last year, said: 'It's a tough one. I think we played a great match. I had my chances.
'She played well, I didn't. You know, it's tennis, so it's hard to accept, but I have to.'
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