Brilliant Carlos Alcaraz beats Sebastian Korda to book French Open fourth-round spot
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Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after beating Sebastian Korda of the United States in the third round of the French Open.
PHOTO: AFP
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PARIS – Armed and dangerous, that was how the ATP website described world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz after his third-round victory at the French Open on May 31.
Rather than implying that he is a safety threat, it was more of a compliment of how the Spaniard has recovered from his arm injury and is seemingly back to his best.
The third seed showed steely resolve in his most convincing match at Roland Garros so far for a 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 victory over American Sebastian Korda to reach the last 16.
Still wearing a compression sleeve after a recent forearm issue, Alcaraz produced a stellar show to firmly put himself back in the conversation as one of the favourites to lift the title in Paris and a third Grand Slam.
“Today was a more demanding match for me. But at some point I forget about everything and I hit the forehand normally,” the 21-year-old said.
“I think during the whole match, I hit my forehand really well, with more intensity. In the second set tiebreak I hit (some good forehands).
“I miss this kind of forehand, this kind of moments. I felt really well after those shots.”
The lively Alcaraz broke Korda in a close opening game but allowed the 27th seed to hit back instantly and drag him into a fight on a cold evening on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
He then revved up his backhand to set up the opportunity to break for a 5-4 lead, pouncing when Korda netted a flying volley after surging forward, and the Spaniard took the opening set by holding serve to love in the following game.
Alcaraz was in the mood to entertain the crowd early in the next set, as he pulled off a sideways tweener that Korda dealt with at the net, and later lobbed the 23-year-old with a backhand from deep to draw level at 1-1.
Korda, who arrived in Paris hoping to emulate his father Petr’s 1992 feat of reaching the Roland Garros final, could do little to stop his showman opponent from breaking but hung on during fierce rallies to hit back and level at 3-3.
Alcaraz let out a scream after blasting a 162kmh forehand to win the tiebreak and double his lead.
The finish line appeared in sight when he broke for a 3-1 lead in the third set, which he wrapped up with a neat volley.
“I feel amazing, feel great playing on this court. Obviously I have great memories here,” added Alcaraz, whose best showing at the French Open is a semi-final finish in 2023.
“I’m feeling better and better every match I play. The crowd was amazing. Every day it’s even better. I’m excited to play in the second week in Paris again. Hopefully I’ll keep going.”
The reigning Wimbledon champion and 2022 US Open winner will face 21st seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the fourth round, before a possible showdown with in-form ninth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-finals. REUTERS, AFP
