Alcaraz ends Shelton's run, wins tough four-setter to reach Roland Garros QFs

Carlos Alcaraz captured his 100th tour-level win on clay Sunday when he overcame Ben Shelton in an entertaining fourth-round clash at Roland Garros.

On Court Philippe-Chatrier, in a match filled with dynamic shot-making, high-quality net play, and a commendable display of sportsmanship, Alcaraz emerged victorious with a 7-6(8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 triumph in three hours and 19 minutes.

Under the Parisian Sunday sun, both came out firing. Alcaraz saved three set points in the first set to lead and then continued to redirect Shelton’s heavy power with his fast hands in the second set to take further control. The American briefly gained a foothold by clinching the third set but Alcaraz responded in the fourth to advance to the quarter-finals at the clay-court major for the fourth consecutive year.

"Today I fought against myself, against the mind," Alcaraz said. "I just tried to calm myself. In some moments I was mad, I was angry with myself. Talking not really good things but I am really happy to not let those thoughts play against me. I tried to calm myself down and I tried to keep going. That is what I tried."

Quarter-final spot secured 🔐

Carlitos defeats Shelton 7-6(8) 6-3 4-6 6-4 to advance 🔥@rolandgarros #rolandgarros #alcaraz pic.twitter.com/zI4zeCxEsS

— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 1, 2025

The defending champion in Paris, Alcaraz is chasing his fifth major this fortnight and third clay-court title of the season, having triumphed at ATP Masters 1000 events in Monte-Carlo and Rome.

The Spaniard, who missed Madrid due to an injury, will next meet American Tommy Paul. Alcaraz leads Paul 4-2 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

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Alcaraz dropped sets against Fabian Marozsan and Damir Dzumhur earlier this week but was pushed much harder by World No. 13 Shelton, who pummelled his groundstrokes in the lively Parisian conditions.

"We have huge respect for each other," Alcaraz said when asked about Shelton. "Every time we face each other, we [bring] the top level. We played really good tennis and entertained the fans. He is a really powerful player, he can make any shot. I think we played really great tennis. Coming to the net, drop shots, forehands. For me it is great having Ben around. I think it is great energy for the people and I love watching Ben play."

The American had three chances to win the first set but hit a costly forehand error on serve at 8/8 in the tie-break before Alcaraz sealed the opener with a whipped forehand down the line.

At the start of the second set, the Spaniard offered a standout moment of sportsmanship when he called a foul on himself at 0-0, 30/30. After approaching the net off a forehand and placing a volley into the open court, Shelton scrambled and fired a powerful crosscourt forehand, forcing Alcaraz to stretch fully for the reply. The 22-year-old managed to make contact and appeared to hit a clean volley winner.

The point was initially awarded to Alcaraz, but the World No. 2 immediately alerted the umpire that he had lost his grip on the racquet mid-stretch and had made contact with the ball while it was no longer in his hand.

Alcaraz went on to hold and then win the set. At 4-4 in the third, Alcaraz squandered a break point chance at 30/40 and Shelton held and then broke Alcaraz, gaining a foothold in the match. However, Alcaraz responded with consistent aggression in the fourth set to improve to 3-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series against Shelton.

Alcaraz is aiming to become just the third man this century to successfully defend his Roland Garros title, alongside Rafael Nadal (10 times) and Gustavo Kuerten (2001).

Shelton was competing in the fourth round in Paris for the first time. The 22-year-old, who defeated Lorenzo Sonego in five sets in the first round, is up one spot to No. 12 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.