Carlos Alcaraz showcased his brilliance on the clay courts of Roland Garros, overpowering American Tommy Paul with a commanding 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 victory to secure his place in the semi-finals for the third consecutive year.
The defending champion played with remarkable precision under the Paris night sky, striking 39 winners while keeping unforced errors to just 22.
Paul, who had troubled Alcaraz in previous matchups, struggled to gain momentum, hindered by an abdominal injury earlier in the tournament. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to match Alcaraz’s relentless intensity and deep-hitting prowess.
With this win, Alcaraz became the first reigning Roland Garros champion to reach the semi-finals the following year since Rafael Nadal in 2021. He will now face Lorenzo Musetti as he aims for his fifth Grand Slam final appearance. Should he triumph once again, he will join an elite group of players, including Nadal and Gustavo Kuerten, who have successfully defended their titles at Roland Garros.
Paul, meanwhile, made history by becoming the first American man to reach the quarter-finals in Paris since Andre Agassi in 2003. His strong performance throughout the tournament ensures that he will rise to a career-high ATP ranking next week.
Alcaraz remains focused on maintaining his dominance on clay, having already claimed ATP Masters 1000 titles in Monte-Carlo and Rome this season. With his sights set on another Grand Slam triumph, his fans eagerly await his next match against Musetti.
