Carlos Alcaraz fends off Shelton, storms into QFs
Paris, June 1 (UNI) Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz came through a stern fourth-round examination at Roland Garros, subduing American Ben Shelton in four gripping sets — 7-6(8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 — in a contest that stretched just over three hours on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Sunday night.
Alcaraz, the No. 3 seed, was made to work for his place in the quarterfinals, with the explosive Shelton threatening to turn the match on its head after storming back to take the third set. But the Spaniard held firm in the crucial moments of the fourth, breaking decisively to seal a hard-earned victory.
Much of the post-match chatter will revolve around the missed opportunities by Shelton in a pulsating opening set. The 21-year-old left-hander had three set points in the tie-break — including a 6-4 lead — but Alcaraz saved them all, showcasing phenomenal defence and trademark flair to clinch it 10-8.
The set, described by many as one of the finest passages of play in the tournament so far, featured a point that could well go down as the shot of the event.
Shelton did not fade, however. After conceding the second set 3-6, he roared back in the third, converting more chances and keeping the Chatrier fans enthralled with his power-packed groundstrokes and fearless play.
But Alcaraz, a two-time Grand Slam champion, regrouped in the fourth, raising his level when it mattered most to keep his title defence on course. He will now face American Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals, a rematch of their Indian Wells semifinal earlier this year.
Meanwhile, over on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, fellow American Frances Tiafoe was leading Germany's Daniel Altmaier by a set as he looked to join Shelton's countrymen in the last eight.
UNI BDN GNK
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
38 minutes ago
- United News of India
Australia's Nick Kyrgios to miss Wimbledon Open
Melbourne, June 3 (UNI) Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios on Tuesday announced a setback in his recovery, confirming he will miss the upcoming grass-court season, including Wimbledon. In a statement shared on social media, Kyrgios said, "Just wanted to give everyone a quick update - I've hit a small setback in my recovery and unfortunately won't make it back for grass (Wimbledon) season this year. I know how much you've all been looking forward to seeing me out there, and I'm genuinely sorry to disappoint. This is just a bump in the road though, and I'm already working hard to get back." Kyrgios has struggled with injuries over the last two-and-a-half years, which have severely disrupted his career. He played just one competitive men's singles match in 2023 and two in 2024 before exiting early at the Australian Open this year. The former world No. 13 retired midway through an Indian Wells match against Botic van de Zandschulp. He recorded his first competitive singles win since 2022 by defeating Mackenzie McDonald at the Miami Open in March, but was heavily defeated by Karen Khachanov in the following round and has not competed since. Fans and tennis followers will be hoping Kyrgios recovers swiftly as he targets a return later this season. UNI BDN RN
United News of India
an hour ago
- United News of India
Punjab Kings opt to bowl against RCB in IPL final
Ahmedabad, June 3 (UNI) Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, in the finals of the IPL 2025 at Narendra Modi Stadium here on Tuesday. Rajat Patidar, representing the opposition, said the pitch looked hard and promised to put up a competitive total to apply pressure. "We were also going to bowl. The pitch looks hard, will try to put a good score and put them under pressure," Patidar said. "Till now, we've played good cricket. It's just another game for us. It's a big stage but as I said it's just another away game for us. Same team. Pitch is looking good. I think it's a flat track, a mix of red and black soil." Iyer expressed optimism about the team's mindset ahead of the match. "We're going to bowl. Only want to give positive signs to my mind and body. It's an amazing day. Fans is electrifying. All we have to do is come here and cherish," Iyer said. "Boys are in brilliant shape and mindset. All we spoke about in the team meeting is the more calm you are, the better. Nerves are fine. I won't say it's just like another game. It's the final and we're going to play like a final. Tremendous feeling just thinking about lifting the trophy. Same team.' The stage is set for an exciting encounter as both teams look to make their mark on the IPL season. Teams: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood Impact Subs: Rasikh Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Tim Seifert, Swapnil Singh, Suyash Sharma. Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal Impact Subs: Prabhsimran Singh, Praveen Dubey, Suryansh Shedge, Xavier Bartlet, Harpreet Brar UNI BDN RN
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Reigning champion Swiatek beats Svitolina to reach French Open semis
Elina Svitolina of Ukraine greets Iga Swiatek of Poland (Photo by) Paris, Jun 03, 2025 -Triple-defending champion Iga Swiatek marched into the last four at Roland Garros on Tuesday with a straight-sets victory over 13th seed Elina Svitolina. Swiatek bested the former world number three 6-1, 7-5 in just over 90 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier to continue her bid to equal a 102-year record by winning four successive French Open titles. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The Polish fifth seed will face world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals after the Belarusian earlier bested Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the last eight. "Aryna is always a challenge, she has a game for every surface. I need to focus on myself, do the work and just go for it," said Swiatek. The rivals have never met at Roland Garros, but Swiatek emerged the victor in their last two meetings on clay -- in the finals of the Madrid and Italian Opens last season. "It's going to be a tough match but I'm happy for the challenge," the 24-year-old added. After starting sluggishly in her fourth-round win over former Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina, where Swiatek found herself 6-1, 2-0 down before kicking into gear, she hit the ground running on Tuesday. Swiatek broke Svitolina's serve in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead, before outlasting her opponent in two lengthy, tightly-contested games to consolidate her advantage. Quiz: Who's that IPL player? The five-time Grand Slam winner then served out the opener to 15 on a gusty centre court in Paris. The pair exchanged consecutive breaks of serve early in the second set, but neither could seize the advantage until Swiatek forced the breakthrough at 5-5 with a powerful forehand down the line. Swiatek showed her killer instinct by holding again to 15 and sealing the win with back-to-back aces. Defeat for Svitolina means the 30-year-old Ukrainian has never progressed further than the quarter-finals at Roland Garros despite reaching the last-eight stage five times in her career.
