Carlos Alcaraz books place in French Open fourth round with convincing win over Denis Shapovalov
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Updated 02/06/2023 at 23:43 GMT
It was a consummate night-match performance from Carlos Alcaraz on Philippe-Chatrier on Friday night, seeing off the threat of Denis Shapovalov in straight sets. Alcaraz was troubled on occasions by the Canadian, especially in the second set, but he was able to ride out those moments and move into the fourth round. Stream the French Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com.
Alcaraz v Shapovalov - Roland-Garros highlights
Carlos Alcaraz booked his place in the French Open fourth round with a convincing straight-sets 6-1 6-4 6-2 win over Denis Shapovalov.
It was Alcaraz's first-ever night match at Roland-Garros, and he turned in a performance that showcased his credentials to win the tournament.
Analysing his performance post-match, Alcaraz said: "I felt great. I think I played a good level the whole match. In the second set I was in trouble a bit at 4-1 down. I started to make more mistakes but you had to be strong mentally."
"I knew he would harm my chances in the second set and I had to come back and I did.
"I am happy with my level today and I hope to take this level into the next round," he added.
The first set was a procession, with the 20-year-old Spaniard taking a 5-0 lead, before Shapovalov held his serve to avoid a bagel.
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'What skill!' - Alcaraz shows sleight of hand in Shapovalov win
He couldn't fight his way back into the opening set however, as Alcaraz took it 6-1.
The start of the second set was altogether different, as the Canadian broke Alcaraz not once but twice to storm into a 4-1 lead.
Remarkably, he didn't win a game in the set thereafter as Alcaraz roared back to take it 6-4, and with it a stranglehold on the match.
Shapovalov took a lengthy break off the court at the end of the second set, but it didn't have the desired effect when the third set began as Alcaraz cruised into a 5-1 lead.
Alcaraz was made to serve it out as Shapovalov held, but the Spaniard did so to seal his spot in the fourth round, where he will meet Lorenzo Musetti.
Also on Friday, Musetti knocked out Cameron Norrie, the last remaining Briton in the draw.
Looking ahead to that challenge, Alcaraz said: "I know my opponent, I know him very well. We played tournaments when we were kids. We played last year and he beat me.
"It will be a really fun match and I hope the people enjoy watching it as well."
And evaluating his overall chances of success at Roland-Garros, Alcaraz said: "I have seen great things in a short period of my career.
"My dream right now is to win every tournament I play in, fighting for Grand Slams, to compete with the guys like [Novak] Djokovic. I want to try to see myself with the best ones and to achieve more titles."
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