French Open: Carlos Alcaraz books spot in fourth round after thrilling straight-sets victory over Sebastian Korda
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 31/05/2024 at 23:03 GMT
Carlos Alcaraz is into the fourth round of the French Open after beating Sebastian Korda in straight sets in a highly entertaining encounter. The pair put on a ball-striking masterclass on Court Philippe-Chatrier but it was the world No. 3 who proved too good in the end to set up a clash with either Ben Shelton or Felix Auger-Aliassime in the next round.
‘Are you kidding?!’ – Alcaraz unleashes blistering crosscourt forehand winner
Carlos Alcaraz beat Sebastian Korda in a thrilling encounter to move into the fourth round of the French Open.
The Spaniard had to dig deep as the pair put on a ball-striking masterclass on Court Philippe-Chatrier but eventually prevailed 6-4 7-6(5) 6-3 to keep his bid for a third Grand Slam alive.
He will play either Ben Shelton or Felix Auger-Aliassime in the next round.
"It was a really good match, I think I played really well. Much better than the previous match and that was something I really wanted," Alcaraz told Eurosport.
"I was in the points, in the rallies and was feeling myself."
The battle that was to ensue couldn’t have been predicted when Alcaraz broke Korda in the first game of the match, but the American showed his mettle to hit back immediately and then take it to the world No. 3 over nearly three hours of incredible tennis.
Despite the heavy conditions, both were able to hit through the court with power and precision, all the while mixing in deft drop shots and volleys.
The opener continued with serve until 4-4 when Korda showed the first sign of nerves, sending a drive volley into the net to concede a costly break before Alcaraz held to love to seal the first set.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2024/05/31/3979745-80770608-2560-1440.jpg)
Alcaraz holds to love to claim gruelling first set against Korda
The quality of the tennis on show continued in the second set. Korda won an epic rally to hold serve in the first game before Alcaraz reeled off three in a row to assume control, a run which included a canon-like forehand winner that delighted the fans in attendance on another cold Parisian evening.
Rather than wilt, though, Korda showed he was up for the challenge by winning three successive games himself to move 4-3 ahead.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2024/05/31/3979750-80770708-2560-1440.jpg)
‘Wow!’ – Korda wins epic rally against Alcaraz to move ahead in second set
Neither player could forge another opportunity in a marathon set that went all the way to a tie-break.
Still the gruelling exchanges came thick and fast in the breaker, but it was Alcaraz who opened up two set points, and although Korda brilliantly saved the first, the world No. 3 sent a stinging forehand down the line to move within sight of the winning line.
That seemed to deflate Korda and Alcaraz pounced on the drop in level to break in the fourth game of the third set as he sensed a chance to finally extinguish the challenge of his opponent.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2024/05/31/3979784-80771393-2560-1440.jpg)
‘He’s got it’ – Alcaraz sends stunning forehand down the line to win tight second set
Korda survived two break points to avoid falling 5-1 behind and, to his credit, made Alcaraz serve it out, but the damage had already been done.
As the top players so often do, Alcaraz produced the goods in the biggest moments of the match and sealed the victory in style, stretching Korda to the brink with a pinpoint forehand before delicately capping off a sublime victory at the net.
"I know my skills but obviously Sebastian is a great player, really good ball-striker," Alcaraz added.
"He hits the ball really clean and it’s difficult to play against him so I had to run a lot, side to side, it was like a marathon.
"But I wasn’t worried at all because I know what I’m capable of and I know it’s really difficult for him as well."
You can watch every day of the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/geo/country/flag/large/2209.png)
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/geo/country/flag/large/2203.png)