6 days ago
Alcaraz overcomes second set blip to advance to third round at French Open
Carlos Alcaraz continued the defence of his crown on Wednesday with a win in four sets over Fabian Maroszan from Hungary.
Alcaraz, who beat Alexander Zverev in last year's final, ran away with the first set 6-1.
But his 25-year-old opponent offered stiffer resistance in the second.
After snaffling the Spaniard's service early in the set, he fought off three break points to hold on to his advantage, taking the second set 6-4 to level proceedings after 75 minutes on centre court.
Alcaraz surged through the third 6-1 in 25 minutes and from 2-2 in the fourth, the 22-year-old showcased his speed, touch and flair to reel off four straight games to give him the set and the match 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 after two hours and nine minutes.
"It was a great match," Alcaraz told on-court interviwer Mats Wilander.
"I started really well but in the second set he played better. He was more aggressive.
"But I stayed strong and in third set, I played better and it was the same in the fourth set."
Elsewhere in the second round of the men's draw, seventh seed Casper Ruud aggravated a left knee injury during his four-set defeat to Nuno Borges.
"Certain movements out there are kind of what makes it painful," said the 26-year-old Norwegian.
Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:Zverev and Alcaraz strive to be the new name on French Open men's singles trophyDefending champion Alcaraz zaps Zeppieri to reach second round at French OpenDjokovic advances to last-16 at French Open after late-night epic with Musetti
