Spanish phenomenon Carlos Alcaraz put his foot back on the accelerator in the third round of Roland-Garros by beating American talent Sebastian Korda (30th) 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 on Friday evening, after saving a ball from game in the previous round. Alcaraz, already world No.6 at 19 after a hair-raising spring, reached the round of 16 for the first time in his young career on clay in Paris. A year ago, he stopped in the third round (beaten by Struff). For a place in the quarter-finals, he will face the Russian Karen Khachanov (25th).
Two days earlier, Alcaraz had come within a point of defeat – and disillusionment – to compatriot Albert Ramos. The young Murcian finally got away with it after a marathon match of 4h34 min 6-1, 6-7 (7/9), 5-7, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, after saving a match point in the fourth set. The longest match of his fledgling career. No such fear on Friday evening: facing the last player to have beaten him – the only one on ocher in 2022 -, “Carlitos” has never conceded his service (5 break points). A break in the first two sets, entering the first, two in the third, and the young Spaniard won in just over two hours.
If he took advantage of the forty unforced errors committed by Korda, Alcaraz, supported by some Madrid supporters present in the stands on the eve of the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool, can be proud of his excellent success rate. at the net: 82% (18 points won out of 22). The pupil of Juan-Carlos Ferrero, ex-world No.1 and winner of Roland-Garros 2003, has won his first two Masters 1000 trophies since the end of March, in Miami and Madrid, plus the Barcelona tournament in the meantime.
With his qualification for the round of 16, he stretches his series of matches won in a row to thirteen. His best Grand Slam result so far is a quarter-final, reached at the US Open last September.