Carlos Alcaraz fends off Shelton, storms into QFs
Paris, June 1 (UNI) Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz came through a stern fourth-round examination at Roland Garros, subduing American Ben Shelton in four gripping sets — 7-6(8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 — in a contest that stretched just over three hours on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Sunday night.
Alcaraz, the No. 3 seed, was made to work for his place in the quarterfinals, with the explosive Shelton threatening to turn the match on its head after storming back to take the third set. But the Spaniard held firm in the crucial moments of the fourth, breaking decisively to seal a hard-earned victory.
Much of the post-match chatter will revolve around the missed opportunities by Shelton in a pulsating opening set. The 21-year-old left-hander had three set points in the tie-break — including a 6-4 lead — but Alcaraz saved them all, showcasing phenomenal defence and trademark flair to clinch it 10-8.
The set, described by many as one of the finest passages of play in the tournament so far, featured a point that could well go down as the shot of the event.
Shelton did not fade, however. After conceding the second set 3-6, he roared back in the third, converting more chances and keeping the Chatrier fans enthralled with his power-packed groundstrokes and fearless play.
But Alcaraz, a two-time Grand Slam champion, regrouped in the fourth, raising his level when it mattered most to keep his title defence on course. He will now face American Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals, a rematch of their Indian Wells semifinal earlier this year.
Meanwhile, over on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, fellow American Frances Tiafoe was leading Germany's Daniel Altmaier by a set as he looked to join Shelton's countrymen in the last eight.
UNI BDN GNK
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Nottingham Open 2025: American Kessler beats Yastremska in final
American McCartney Kessler secured her third career title on Sunday, defeating Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska 6-4 7-5 in a rain-interrupted Nottingham Open final. Kessler, who recorded her first main draw tour-level win on grass earlier this month at Queen's, dominated the match from the outset and sealed victory in one hour and 34 minutes. 'I'm super excited to have another title. I've gotten to another final, another great week of tennis for me. I want to start by congratulating Dayana on a good week as well,' Kessler said. ALSO READ | Vondrousova battles past qualifier Wang to win Berlin Open final 'She's a really tough competitor. We've had three really competitive matches, so congrats on a good week.' The 25-year-old American outperformed Yastremska on serve in the first set, winning 17 of her 25 service points compared to the Ukrainian's 19 from 35 first serves. The second set went to 3-3 before Kessler fought off a spirited challenge from Yastremska to close it 7-5. Yastremska, the first Ukrainian player to reach a WTA Tour final on the surface in 17 years, was playing her second final of the year but fell short of clinching her first WTA title since 2019.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Carlos Alcaraz Crowned King Of Queen's For Second Time
Carlos Alcaraz clinched his second Queen's Club title as the world number two warmed up for Wimbledon with a 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2 win against Jiri Lehecka in Sunday's final. Alcaraz blasted 33 winners and 18 aces to subdue the gritty Czech world number 30 in two hours and 10 minutes in west London. Having won titles on clay at the French Open, Rome and Monte Carlo, as well as the hard courts of Rotterdam, Alcaraz has now collected five trophies in 2025. The 22-year-old has not lost since the Barcelona final against Holger Rune on April 20 and is enjoying the longest winning streak of his career with 18 successive victories. Top seeded Alcaraz is just the second Spanish man to win Queen's twice after Feliciano Lopez, who lifted the trophy in 2017 and 2019. For a player raised on the clay courts of Spain, Alcaraz has developed into a formidable force on grass. The former world number one signalled his emergence on the surface by winning Queen's in 2023. He clinched the Wimbledon title for the first time just weeks later and defended his All England Club crown last year. Alcaraz, who has an 11-1 career record at Queen's, will start his bid for a third successive Wimbledon title on June 30. After his semi-final win over Roberto Bautista Agut on Saturday, Alcaraz fired an ominous message to his Wimbledon rivals, warning that his "grass-court mode" had been activated. And on the evidence of his relentless display against the obdurate Lehecka, he is in no mood to surrender his All England Club crown. Ruthless Alcaraz Playing his first tournament since his epic French Open victory against Jannik Sinner two weeks ago, Alcaraz's march to the Queen's showpiece made it five consecutive finals for the Spaniard. In contrast, Lehecka was playing in his first grass-court final after a shock win against British star Jack Draper in the last four. The 23-year-old was the first Czech in the Queen's final since Ivan Lendl in 1990. Lehecka had come from a set down to stun Alcaraz in the Qatar Open quarter-finals in February. But there would be no repeat of that upset on the lawns of Barons Court. In his second Queen's final, Alcaraz had an early chance to break in the fifth game of the first set. Lehecka thundered down an ace to get out of trouble of that occasion. But the five-time Grand Slam champion matched Lehecka's serve blow for blow, dropping just one point in his first four service games. Alcaraz's piercing ground-strokes increased the pressure and Lehecka finally cracked in the the 11th game when an badly-timed double-fault gifted the first break to the Spaniard. Alcaraz served out the set in typically ruthless fashion, but Lehecka refused to surrender without a fight. A tight second set stayed on serve all the way through to the tie-break and, for once, Alcaraz stumbled with a key double-fault, allowing Lehecka to level the match. Alcaraz was unfazed, breaking for a 3-1 lead in the deciding set when Lehecka netted an off-balance forehand. Alcaraz had the finish line in sight and he wrapped up his latest title triumph with a flurry of searing winners.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Carlos Alcaraz crowned king of Queen's for second time
Carlos Alcaraz (Getty Images) L ONDON: Carlos Alcaraz clinched his second Queen's Club title as the world number two warmed up for Wimbledon with a 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2 win against Jiri Lehecka in Sunday's final. Alcaraz blasted 33 winners and 18 aces to subdue the gritty Czech world number 30 in two hours and 10 minutes in west London. Having won titles on clay at the French Open, Rome and Monte Carlo, as well as the hard courts of Rotterdam, Alcaraz has now collected five trophies in 2025. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The 22-year-old has not lost since the Barcelona final against Holger Rune on April 20 and is enjoying the longest winning streak of his career with 18 successive victories. Top seeded Alcaraz is just the second Spanish man to win Queen's twice after Feliciano Lopez, who lifted the trophy in 2017 and 2019. "I'm happy to lift this trophy once again. It's a nightmare to play against Jiri, but it's been an incredible week," Alcaraz said. "I came without expectations. I just wanted to play good tennis and get used to the grass. "It's really special playing here every year. I can't wait to come back next year." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Best Life Starts Today Maximus Learn More Undo For a player raised on the clay courts of Spain, Alcaraz has developed into a formidable force on grass. The former world number one signalled his emergence on the surface by winning Queen's in 2023. He clinched the Wimbledon title for the first time just weeks later and defended his All England Club crown last year. Alcaraz, who has an 11-1 career record at Queen's, will start his bid for a third successive Wimbledon title on June 30. After his semi-final win over Roberto Bautista Agut on Saturday, Alcaraz fired an ominous message to his Wimbledon rivals, warning that his "grass-court mode" had been activated. And on the evidence of his relentless display against the obdurate Lehecka, he is in no mood to surrender his All England Club crown. - Ruthless Alcaraz - Playing his first tournament since his epic French Open victory against Jannik Sinner two weeks ago, Alcaraz's march to the Queen's showpiece made it five consecutive finals for the Spaniard. In contrast, Lehecka was playing in his first grass-court final after a shock win against British star Jack Draper in the last four. The 23-year-old was the first Czech in the Queen's final since Ivan Lendl in 1990. Lehecka had come from a set down to stun Alcaraz in the Qatar Open quarter-finals in February. But there would be no repeat of that upset on the lawns of Barons Court. In his second Queen's final, Alcaraz had an early chance to break in the fifth game of the first set. Lehecka thundered down an ace to get out of trouble of that occasion. But the five-time Grand Slam champion matched Lehecka's serve blow for blow, dropping just one point in his first four service games. Alcaraz's piercing ground-strokes increased the pressure and Lehecka finally cracked in the the 11th game when an badly-timed double-fault gifted the first break to the Spaniard. Alcaraz served out the set in typically ruthless fashion, but Lehecka refused to surrender without a fight. A tight second set stayed on serve all the way through to the tie-break and, for once, Alcaraz stumbled with a key double-fault, allowing Lehecka to level the match. Alcaraz was unfazed, breaking for a 3-1 lead in the deciding set when Lehecka netted an off-balance forehand. Alcaraz had the finish line in sight and he wrapped up his latest title triumph with a flurry of searing winners. Follow all the live updates, scores, and highlights from the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
