Reigning champion becomes clay court centurion after booking quarter-final berth in Paris
©Julien Crosnier / FFTCarlos Alcaraz bt Ben Shelton 7-6(8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
It’s very easy to forget that Carlos Alcaraz is only 22-years-old.
The Murcia, Spain, native has already compiled a Hall of Fame career with four Grand Slam trophies on his bedroom shelves at the family home.
The defending Roland-Garros champion continues to bring his brand of electric tennis to the major arena. Ben Shelton more than played his part on a captivated Court Philippe-Chatrier, but once again the world No.2 found the answers with his trademark smile.
Bouncing back from a turbulent third round against Damir Dzumhur, Alcaraz thrived as the front runner to earn a quarter-final meeting with Tommy Paul.
Alcaraz and Shelton were bringing out all the flicks and tricks to complement their power play. Dinked drop shots, remarkable retrieval skills, jumping smashes, Shelton clattered a 230 kmh ace, it was all in the mix.
A tie-break was required and the world No.13 blazed 4-1 up courtesy of some booming overheads and serving.
There was a standing ovation from some sections of the crowd after a spellbinding all-court rally left Shelton falling to the dirt and Alcaraz somehow prevailing by lifting a volley over the net with mesmerising sidespin. Both players just stood and laughed.
The American was unleashing his full force, with his powerful forehand particularly effective. Alcaraz somehow defended three set points and a forehand blasted down the line snatched away the opener.
Shelton, a semi-finalist at the Australian Open in January, responded with six break points in the first game of the second set. Like the champion he is, Alcaraz escaped.
©Julien Crosnier / FFTTwo ferocious forehand winners at 4-3 stole away the advantage for the world No.2, who sent a forehand pass down the line to move a set away from the quarter-finals.
Shelton kept firing and was rewarded for his persistence. Some acrobatic play set up the opportunity to steal the set. Moments later the world No.13 was calling “Let’s go baby!” towards his box.
This was now a true test for Alcaraz. Instead of faltering, the Spaniard unveiled more of his extensive shot repertoire. This time, a trademark drop shot at 1-1 was the box office moment to claim the decisive advantage.
Shelton fended off match point, but there was still time for another drop shot before the crowd saluted the Murcia magician.
Alcaraz has now posted a milestone 100-19 record on the clay in tour-level encounters, having advanced to a fourth successive last eight clash in Paris. Among players who began their career in the Open era, only Rafael Nadal (112) achieved 100 wins in fewer matches on the surface.
The RG 2024 champion now has an ATP tour-leading 34 victories this season.
In doing so, Alcaraz is the third Spanish man in history to reach 11 Grand Slam quarter-finals after Rafael Nadal (47) and David Ferrer (17). Sunday’s hard-fought win took the 22-year-old past compatriots Manuel Orantes (10) and Manuel Santana (10).
©Julien Crosnier / FFTOn his admiration for Shelton: “We both have huge respect for each other. Every time we face each other, we bring the level to the top. We showed a really good level of tennis today. We entertained the people.
“He’s so powerful, he can make any shots. Serving 230 (kmh) is unbelievable.
“I think we played really complete tennis, with the drop shots, coming to net, big shots, he stayed there the whole match.
“It’s great having Ben around in these matches, it’s great energy for the people. I love watching him play. I want to appreciate the moments I shared with him today.”
On how he fought mentally: “Honestly, today I fought against myself in my mind. I just tried to calm myself. In some moments I was mad, angry with myself, I wasn’t thinking very good thoughts.
“But I’m really, really happy that I didn’t let those thoughts play against me. When I was down, I just kept going.”
On his upcoming battle with Tommy Paul: "I remember that every match that I've played against him he was really difficult. In Grand Slams, in Masters 1000, and all the tournaments I've played against him it wasn't easy at all," said Alcaraz, 4-2 up versus the No.12 seed.
"He is in the quarter-finals of another Grand Slam, so his level is really high right now. He has a lot of confidence, I'm pretty sure.
"I will try to just keep going, just trying to be better. I will try to learn from the mistakes that I made today. I'm not going to make the same against Tommy, but I think for the people, it's going to be a really interesting match to watch."
ROLAND-GARROS
19 May - 8 June 2025
