After suffering through Rafa Nadal’s qualification to the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, Carlos Alcaraz was able to get his ticket for the round that brings together eight of the best players of the tournament with incredible ease. Alcaraz defeated Karen Khachanov 6-1, 6-4 and 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals in Paris.
Alcaraz won two straight victories against Albert Ramos after his doubts. He also lost only one set against Sebastian Korda, and Khachanov. This suggests that the match against Alcaraz, a Catalan tennis player, was a minor setback. Alcaraz, the greatest of them all, returned to the court, the one who struts his stuff on the track like a member the ‘Big Three.
Alcaraz’s 16th round at Roland Garros was his second at Grand Slam. He also won the 2021 US Open. His rhythm was excellent and he took initiative on the scoreboard.
With 12 of the first fourteen points, he won the first five games. His declaration of intent lasted for a long time. After a hesitant start, Khachanov began to feel better. However, he couldn’t play the second set, in which Alcaraz won the difference with two breakage opportunities. Khachanov let out a sigh after he had solved the first set, but the second set cost him his partial.
Although the Russian had been able to reduce the tennis advantage on court, it was only growing on the scoreboard. Alcaraz won two sets and was 3-1 in favor of the third set. The Moscow responded with two more games in succession, breaking the Spaniard for the first time.
Alcaraz responded quickly to this wake-up call, breaking Khachanov’s set in the next match with one of the tournament’s scores. The Russian won the match with a volley that was a wall in the net, followed by a ‘willy (hit between the legs), which overtook Khachanov and gave him the point. Khachanov laughed ironically while Philippe Chatrier’s audience exploded into shouts “Carlos! Carlos!”
Khachanov lost the point, and Alcaraz was able to advance to the quarterfinals. Alexander Zverev is now waiting. The tournament’s revelation, Bernabe Zapata was defeated 7-6 (11), 7-5, and 6-3 by the German. Alcaraz will be facing the German for the fourth time. The Spaniard won the Madrid final, and the German won the first two matches on hard courts. This match will decide who will play in the semi-finals of the Novak Djokovic/Rafa Nadal match.
