Carlos Alcaraz Battles Through Four Sets to Advance at French Open 2025
What a night it was at Roland Garros! If you're following the 2025 French Open, you’ll know exactly what I mean when I say Carlos Alcaraz had to dig deeper than ever to secure his spot in the fourth round. Facing a spirited Damir Dzumhur under the lights on Court Philippe Chatrier, the defending champion proved once again why he’s considered the man to beat on clay.
Alcaraz started strong — as we’ve come to expect — blitzing through the first two sets 6-1, 6-3. It looked like it was going to be a straight-set affair. But then, Dzumhur flipped the script. The Bosnian veteran, seeking to reach a Grand Slam fourth round for the first time, stepped up his aggression and pushed Alcaraz into a surprising fourth set. At one point, the energy clearly dipped for the Spaniard, and the match suddenly turned into a serious test of endurance and mental toughness.
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Carlos admitted afterward, “I didn’t enjoy it too much. I suffered quite a lot.” And that suffering showed. The third set slipped away 4-6 as unforced errors started to creep in. Dzumhur, battling through a knee issue, found new life in his game. He broke early in the fourth, and suddenly we were looking at a very real upset brewing.
But champions respond. And Alcaraz is no stranger to digging deep. Down a break, he surged with four consecutive games to take back control. Though Dzumhur wasn’t done just yet — even managing to break again — Alcaraz held firm and closed it out 6-4 as the clock ticked toward midnight in Paris.
This victory wasn’t just about a win on the scoresheet; it was about heart, grit, and surviving the kind of rollercoaster that makes Grand Slam tennis so thrilling. It’s easy to forget Alcaraz is only 22. Already a four-time Grand Slam champion, he’s showing the kind of resilience and maturity that defines the sport’s greats. He’s also chasing a huge milestone — trying to become the first man since Rafael Nadal in 2020 to retain the French Open title. And if tonight proved anything, it’s that he's got the fire for it.
Next up? He’ll face 13th seed Ben Shelton, who’s been cruising so far, defeating Matteo Gigante in straight sets. That’s going to be another exciting matchup, with Shelton’s explosive power set to clash with Alcaraz’s all-court finesse.
As the French Open heats up, this match reminded us all that no matter how talented you are, every Grand Slam win has to be earned. Alcaraz earned this one — the hard way.
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