Alcaraz bounces back from set loss for 20th Roland Garros win
Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the Roland Garros third round, securing a 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Fabian Marozsan. The World No. 2 faced his first set loss of the tournament but swiftly regained control, marking his 20th win at the Parisian Grand Slam – a milestone achieved as the second-fastest male player in tournament history, underscoring his formidable presence in the clay-court major.
Carlos Alcaraz, the second seed at Roland Garros, demonstrated both his undeniable class and a moment of vulnerability on Wednesday as he navigated his way into the third round. The Spanish sensation ultimately overcame a spirited challenge from Hungary's Fabian Marozsan with a final score of 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, though not without dropping his first set of the tournament.
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The brief hiccup in the second set was a rare sight for the defending champion, who had cruised through his opening round match against Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri in straight sets (6-3, 6-4, 6-2). Reflecting on the unexpected resistance, Alcaraz admitted, "In the second set, he started to play much better and he was really aggressive. He didn’t miss at all so it was a little difficult to deal with his game in the second set." However, the four-time Grand Slam winner quickly regained his composure and control. "I’m really happy I stayed strong and refreshed myself," he added, "I started to play better and better which helped me have a really good last two sets."
A significant milestone
This victory also marked a significant milestone for the 22-year-old Spaniard. By collecting his 20th singles win at Roland Garros in just his 23rd match, Alcaraz has become the second-fastest male player in the Open Era to reach this benchmark at the French Open. This achievement places him in elite company, trailing only the "King of Clay," Rafael Nadal, who accomplished the feat in a remarkable 20 matches. It underscores Alcaraz's already profound impact on the clay courts of Paris despite his young age.
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Alcaraz, currently ranked World No. 2, will now prepare to face Bosnian Damir Dzumhur in the third round. Dzumhur secured his spot by overcoming France's Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, the 31st seed, in his previous match, despite battling a knee injury.
