Alcaraz, Swiatek Overcome Challenging Hurdles in Tough Matches
Title: Iga Swiatek Chases History, Aiming to Break 102-Year-Old Record at French Open
Reuters, PARIS
In a nail-biting four-set clash, Carlos Alcaraz outplayed Ben Shelton of the USA to advance to the French Open quarter-finals on Sunday. Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek battled back from 2-0 down in the second set against Elena Rybakina, keeping her dream of four consecutive Roland Garros titles alive.
Reigning champion Alcaraz triumphantly claimed a 7-6 (10/8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory following a grueling 3 hours, 19 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier. He will face Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals, after the 12th seed vanquished Australia’s Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
“Today, I fought against myself in the mind,” acknowledged Alcaraz. “I was angry, and I had some not-so-nice thoughts, but I’m glad I didn’t let the negative thoughts control me... I calmed myself down and kept pushing forward.”
Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam champion, survived three set points in a thrilling opening-set tiebreak before clinching it decisively. He crucialy saved six break points in a protracted first game of the second set, ultimately securing the game and the set with a break in the eighth game. American 13th seed Shelton pushingly took a set, but Alcaraz swiftly retaliated with an early break in the fourth set.
Lorenzo Musetti extended his impressive form with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 triumph over Denmark’s 10th seed Holger Rune in the night session. Musetti, the eighth seed, is renowned for his strong clay-court performances, having reached the semi-finals in three consecutive Masters events this season. He will face Frances Tiafoe in the quarter-finals. American 15th seed Tiafoe secured his maiden French Open quarter-final berth with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) victory over unseeded German Daniel Altmaier.
Iga Swiatek, the four-time Roland Garros champion, displayed resilience and determination to rally from a 2-0 deficit against Rybakina in the second set. Swiatek, who has yet to claim four consecutive titles at Roland Garros, is aiming to become the first woman since Suzanne Lenglen, over 102 years ago, to win four straight French Open titles. The Pole’s impressive 25-match winning streak at the French Open speaks to her dominance on the clay courts of Paris.
"I felt like I was playing against Jannik Sinner in the first set," confessed Swiatek. "I needed to shake things up if I wanted to get back into the match, and with Rybakina playing so well I didn’t have much hope."
Rybakina triumphed in both of her previous meetings with Swiatek on clay, and the Kazakh expertly dominated the opening set, racking up 12 winners. However, Swiatek responded by breaking Rybakina’s serve three times in the second set, turning the tables and claiming the match 1-6, 6-3, 7-5.
In another upset, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina edged out last year’s losing finalist Jasmine Paolini in three sets to advance to the quarter-finals. Svitolina, who has never made it to a Grand Slam final, will be aiming to reach her first French Open semi-final.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka needed eight match points to subdue Amanda Anisimova of the USA and secure her 10th consecutive major quarter-final berth. She is set to face Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the quarters. Zheng booked a place in the last eight after a hard-fought victory over Russian 19th seed Liudmila Samsonova.
Iga Swiatek's pursuit of history continues as she targets breaking a 102-year-old record at the French Open, aiming to emulate Suzanne Lenglen by winning four consecutive titles.
In tennis, the four-time Roland Garros champion displayed resilience and determination, rallying from a 2-0 deficit against Elena Rybakina, a reminder of Swiatek's dominance on the clay courts of Paris.
