Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz overcame a mental battle to book his place in the French Open quarter-finals, defeating American Ben Shelton in a gripping four-set contest.
The 22-year-old Spaniard delivered his most impressive performance of the tournament so far, securing a 7-6 (10-8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 win on Court Philippe Chatrier.
The match lasted three hours and 19 minutes, culminating in a trademark forehand down the line that sealed his 100th clay-court victory on the ATP Tour.
“Honestly, today I fought against myself in the mind,” Alcaraz admitted after the match. “I was mad at times, saying not-so-good things to myself. But I managed to calm down and keep going. I’m proud I didn’t let those thoughts get the better of me.”
Alcaraz, the tournament’s second seed, will now face 12th-seeded American Tommy Paul, who breezed past Australia’s Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 6-3, 6-3, in the quarter-finals.
Following a third-round match that he admitted he “didn’t enjoy,” Alcaraz returned to form on Sunday but needed to raise his level to overcome the powerful Shelton, who kept the pressure on throughout.
The opening set was tightly contested, heading into a tie-break after just one break-point opportunity for Alcaraz. Shelton looked poised to take the set, holding three set points, but the Spaniard held firm to snatch the tie-break.
The second set saw Shelton threaten again, earning six break points in the first game alone. Alcaraz saved them all and later broke at a crucial moment to take the set.
Shelton, however, wasn’t finished. In the third set, after early exchanges of breaks, he held firm at 4-4 and was rewarded with a fortunate net cord that set up two set points. He converted the second, narrowing the match deficit and keeping hopes alive.
But Alcaraz regained control in the fourth, breaking early for a 2-1 lead. Despite a flurry of spectacular rallies, Shelton couldn’t mount another comeback, and the Spaniard held on to close out the match.
“Every time we play, the level rises,” said Alcaraz. “We entertained the crowd with drop shots, net play, and big hitting. Ben is a powerful player who brings great energy to the court. It’s always fun facing him.”
In other action, American 15th seed Frances Tiafoe eased past Germany’s Daniel Altmaier in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4). Tiafoe awaits the winner of Sunday’s night session clash between Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti (8th seed) and Denmark’s Holger Rune (10th seed).
