Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz was made to work hard under the lights at Roland Garros, overcoming a spirited challenge from Damir Dzumhur to secure a spot in the French Open fourth round with a 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory.
The Spaniard, seeded second, appeared to be cruising with a two-set lead before Dzumhur launched a determined fightback on Court Philippe Chatrier. A dip in Alcaraz’s energy and a tactical shift from the Bosnian extended the match into a fourth set, but the 22-year-old eventually rallied to close it out.
“I didn’t enjoy it too much,” Alcaraz admitted after the match. “I suffered quite a lot, but I’m happy to have played a good match with Damir. That’s why it’s tough to win Grand Slams — you need to stay focused for hours.”
Alcaraz, aiming to become the first man since Rafael Nadal in 2020 to defend the Roland Garros title, will face 13th seed Ben Shelton next. The American advanced with a straight-sets win over Italy’s Matteo Gigante, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.
In his second-round match, Alcaraz had shown signs of inconsistency, and early on against Dzumhur, he looked to be back in control. After saving two break points, he dominated the opening set, winning five straight games and closing it out in just 30 minutes. The second set followed a similar pattern, with Dzumhur unable to capitalize on his few opportunities.
However, momentum shifted in the third. Dzumhur, 33, took advantage of errors creeping into Alcaraz’s game and, after receiving treatment on a knee issue, managed to break serve and hold off five break points to take the set.
The Bosnian struck early in the fourth, breaking Alcaraz again and putting pressure on the defending champion. Alcaraz failed to convert several more break points before rediscovering his rhythm, winning four straight games and sealing the match with another break as midnight approached in Paris.
Elsewhere at Roland Garros: Rune, Musetti Advance, Fils Withdraws
Danish 10th seed Holger Rune also booked his place in the fourth round after a grueling five-set victory over France’s Quentin Halys, winning 4-6, 6-2, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2. Rune, who recently defeated Alcaraz in the Barcelona Open final, will next face eighth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti. The Italian saw off Mariano Navone of Argentina in four sets.
American 12th seed Tommy Paul came through another five-set battle, beating Russia’s Karen Khachanov 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(7), 3-6, 6-3. He now faces Australia’s Alexei Popyrin, the 25th seed, who edged past Nuno Borges in three tight sets, 6-4, 7-6(13-11), 7-6(7-5).
Fellow American Frances Tiafoe, the 15th seed, defeated compatriot and 23rd seed Sebastian Korda in straight sets, 7-6(8-6), 6-3, 6-4. Tiafoe will play unseeded German Daniel Altmaier, who reached his first Grand Slam fourth round by beating Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2.
French hopes took a hit as 14th seed Arthur Fils withdrew from his third-round clash with 17th seed Andrey Rublev due to injury. Rublev will meet either top seed Jannik Sinner or Czech Jiri Lehecka in the next round, with their match scheduled for Saturday.
