Tennis

Roland Garros: Carlos Alcaraz moves closer to Novak Djokovic match

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World no. 1 Carlos Alcaraz will play his fourth Major quarter-final at Roland Garros, and the second in a row in Paris. The 20-year-old won the battle of the youngsters versus Lorenzo Musetti on Court Philippe-Chatrier, beating the Italian 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in two hours and eight minutes for a place in the last eight. Alcaraz played better behind the first serve and saved five out of seven break points. The Spaniard grabbed 52% of the return points and turned them into seven breaks from 14 opportunities to rule the court. Carlos fired 42 winners and 23 unforced errors, overpowering the rival in the shortest and mid-range exchanges to sail over the top. Both players served at 75% in the opener, and the Spaniard made the difference with his first serve. Carlos fired 13 winners and nine unforced errors, losing serve once and delivering two breaks to forge an early advantage. World no. 1 lost serve in the encounter’s opening game and controlled the pace after that to settle into a nice rhythm.

Carlos Alcaraz ousted Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets at Court Philippe-Chatrier.

The Italian cracked a backhand down the line winner on the third break chance in the first game to move in front. He held at 15 for 2-0 before Alcaraz broke back in game four after the rival’s loose backhand. Lorenzo saved a break point in game six with a volley winner at the net before Carlos placed a deep return on the second to secure the second straight break and forge a 4-2 advantage. The Spaniard held at love for 5-2 and repeated that in game nine with a forehand winner at the net for 6-3 in 40 minutes. Carlos dropped five points behind the initial shot in the second set, losing serve once and converting 58% of the return points into three breaks and another comfortable set that pushed him closer to the finish line.

Alcaraz grabbed a break at the start of the set, and Musetti pulled it back at 1-2 after the rival’s forehand error. Lorenzo played a terrible smash at the net in game five to lose serve and send Carlos in front. The Spaniard clinched another break in game seven and landed an ace in the next one for a hold at love and 6-3, 6-2 in an hour and 24 minutes. Alcaraz saved two break points in the third set’s second game and leveled the score at 2-2 with a hold at 15. World no. 1 landed a volley winner at the net in the fifth game to grab a break and start his final charge toward the top. He broke Musetti again in the seventh game to move 5-2 up and sealed the deal on his serve in the next one for a place in the quarter-final. 

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