Alcaraz reaches last 16 in Paris

Carlos Alcaraz’s meteoric rise continued when the Spanish prodigy produced yet another awe-inspiring performance to outplay American Sebastian Korda 6-4 6-4 6-2 and reach the last 16 of the French Open for the first time.

Photo: AFP

Facing the only man to beat him on clay this year, the sixth-seeded teenager, who saved a match point in the second round, showed his full range on a packed court Philippe Chatrier this morning – mixing powerful forehands with gravity-defying drop shots.

The 27th-seeded Korda threw everything at his opponent, only for the ball to come back quicker and with more power and the American faded in the third after a high-octane fight in the first two sets.

Alcaraz, who now has an 18-1 win-loss record on the red clay this season after winning titles in Barcelona and Madrid, will next face 21st-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov before a potential quarter-final clash against third seed Alexander Zverev.

Zverev muscled his way into the fourth round with a no-nonsense 7-6(2) 6-3 7-6(5) victory over American Brandon Nakashima.

Rafa Nadal hammered Dutch 26th seed Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3 6-2 6-4, to remain on course for a potential mouth-watering showdown against world number one Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals. Djokovic powered past Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia 6-3 6-3 6-2 to stay firmly on course to challenge for a record-equalling 21st Grand Slam win.

In the women’s draw, twice Grand Slam champion Viktoria Azarenka slumped out after Swiss 23rd seed Jil Teichmann battled from a set down to win 4-6 7-5 7-6(5).

U.S. Open finalist Leylah Fernandez edged Olympic champion Belinda Bencic 7-5 3-6 7-5 after a see-saw battle. Also through to the next round were Americans Coco Gauff, Sloane Stephens and Amanda Anisimova.

– Reuters