Third seed Carlos Alcaraz likened his straight-sets win over Sebastian Korda at the French Open 2024 to a marathon after reaching the fourth round of the grand slam.
Spaniard Alcaraz, who is yet to fully recover from an arm injury, broke at 5-4 to win the first set against the 27th seed and needed a tie-break to win the second after both players secured breaks.
The third set was more straightforward for the contender in a 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 night-session victory.
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“I was not worried,” said Alcaraz, calling Korda “a great player and a really good ball striker.”
“I know my skills and that it is really difficult for him as well. It is difficult to play against him. I had to run a lot. It was like a marathon for me.”
Alcaraz v Korda ‘really good’
Despite his protestations, Alcaraz made a tricky test look reasonably routine against the 23-year-old, whose sister, Nelly, is the world’s number one female golfer.
“I’m feeling amazing,” said Alcaraz. “I feel great playing on this court. I have great memories playing on this court.
“I’m feeling better and better every match I play here. Every day, it’s even better. It’s amazing to play in the second week at Paris.”
Alcaraz with a STUNNING forehand 😍@CARLOSALCARAZ #ROLANDGARROS@ROLANDGARROS
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) MAY 31, 2024
Alcaraz compared his performance favourably to his four-set win over world number 176 Jesper de Jong in the second round.
“Hopefully, I can keep going,” he added. “It was a really good match. I played really well – much better than the previous match.
“This is something I really wanted: just to get in the rally, play some good points and feel like myself on the court. I did that really well.”
The 21-year-old is aiming to build on his best ever run at the major last year, when he was beaten in four sets in the semi-finals by champion Novak Djokovic.
Alcaraz has won two Grand Slam titles, adding last year’s Wimbledon title to the US Open trophy he lifted in 2022.
He will meet America’s Ben Shelton, the 15th seed, or Canadian 21st seed Felix Auger Aliassime next. The match between the pair was delayed by rain while Alcaraz was on court on Friday.
