Witness Carlos Alcaraz’s extraordinary achievement of 20 wins at Roland-Garros. Dive into the thrilling moments that highlight his competitive edge.
Defending Champion Rides Out Mid-Match Dip for 20th French Open Win
Carlos Alcaraz, the defending Roland-Garros champion and world No. 2, showcased his trademark flair and resilience on Court Philippe-Chatrier as he dispatched Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 to reach the third round of the French Open. The 21-year-old Spaniard, aiming to become the first man since Rafael Nadal to defend the Paris title, weathered a brief storm before reasserting his dominance in front of an enthusiastic Parisian crowd.
A Lightning Start and a Sudden Twist
Alcaraz began the match in blistering form, racing through the first set in just 28 minutes. He broke Marozsan’s serve three times, mixing delicate drop shots with powerful baseline play and leaving the Hungarian scrambling. The Spaniard’s energy and shot-making drew cheers from the crowd, and with football stars like PSG’s Nuno Mendes and Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo watching courtside, Alcaraz even entertained with some football tricks between points. See also: Jasmine Paolini Powers Past Tomljanovic to Reach Roland-Garros 3rd Round
However, the match took a surprising turn in the second set. Marozsan, who famously upset Alcaraz in Rome last year, found his rhythm and began to trouble the champion with clever drop shots and aggressive play. The Hungarian broke early and, with Alcaraz’s level dipping, snatched the set 6-4 to level the contest.
Regaining Control: Alcaraz’s Response
With the alarm bells ringing, Alcaraz responded as champions do—by elevating his game. He stormed through the third set 6-1, rediscovering his aggression and producing a series of stunning passing shots that left Marozsan little room to breathe. The Spaniard’s footwork and tactical adjustments were on full display as he quickly reestablished control.
In the fourth set, Alcaraz continued to dictate play, breaking Marozsan twice and closing out the match in just over two hours. His ability to reset mentally and physically after a setback was a testament to his growing maturity on the Grand Slam stage.
Milestones and Motivation
This victory marked Alcaraz’s 20th match win at Roland-Garros, making him the second-fastest man to reach that milestone in the Open Era since 2000, trailing only Rafael Nadal. The win also improved Alcaraz’s clay-court record for the season to an astonishing 17-1, reinforcing his status as the tournament favorite.
Reflecting on the match, Alcaraz said:
“It was a great match. I played well in the first set. In the second set, he started to play much better, really aggressively, and didn’t miss at all. It was a little bit difficult dealing with his game, but I was pleased to stay strong and refreshed in the third set.â€
Alcaraz’s focus remains on entertaining the crowd as much as winning:
“Most of the time, I’m not trying to think about anything else but enjoying playing and enjoying being on this court. I just want to show good tennis. I want to make sure people are happy watching my match as well. That’s the way I enjoy playing tennis.â€
A Growing Rivalry and What’s Next
The win also served as a measure of revenge for Alcaraz, who had lost to Marozsan in Rome in 2023. Now leading their head-to-head 2-1, Alcaraz moves on to face either Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard or Damir Dzumhur in the next round, as he continues his quest for a fifth major title and a second straight crown in Paris.
Carlos Alcaraz’s Star Continues to Rise
Alcaraz’s blend of power, touch, and showmanship has made him a fan favorite and a formidable force on clay. With each passing round, he inches closer to joining the ranks of Roland-Garros legends. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will remain on the young Spaniard to see if he can emulate his countryman Nadal and defend his title on the storied Parisian clay. See also: Jannik Sinner Stays Perfect in Paris
