Alcaraz Dazzles in Four-Set Win Over Shelton to Punch QF Ticket

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Carlos Alcaraz’s title defense is still alive after out-performing Ben Shelton in a fiery back-and-forth showdown- 7.6, 6.3, 4.6, 6.4- during their fourth-round clash in the ongoing French Open on June 1, 2025.

After admitting that he was disappointed in his third-round win over Damir Dzumhur, Alcaraz was quick to redeem himself in the next round, against the flamboyant Shelton who brought out his best performance in the most prestigious clay court tournament in a Grand Slam setting.

As early as the opening set, Alcaraz was immediately tested after the American ace dragged him to a thrilling tiebreaker round. In the set full of highlights and jaw-dropping exchanges, it was the Spanish sensation who took over in the clutch, escaping with a nail-biting 10-8 tiebreaker dub.

Shelton was in the position to snatch the momentum before the tiebreaker happened after reaching six break points, but Alcaraz wouldn’t be denied and saved them all that set up the stage for the tiebreaker.

Even though he leveled the score despite clawing his way back from six break-point deficits, it was still Shelton who drew first blood after scoring back-to-back forehands that put the pressure back on Alcaraz.

However, the defending champion entered the next sets unfazed, tearing a page from his come-from-behind book when he saved all of those six break points.

Alcaraz remained calm despite trailing, and evened the score with a drop shot and a much-needed service ace. Both aces figured in a see-saw affair, but the netter from Spain emerged victorious after getting the upper hand with his court mastery in the final four sets.

From his lob shot winners to his masterful slice drops, Alcaraz utilized his full offensive bag to get rid of Shelton’s power in the opening set, which set the tone for a more dominant second-period win to go up 2-0, moving a set away from claiming the fourth round win.

Shelton wouldn’t allow a sweep as he fought back in the third, powered by his more efficient service game backstopped by his groundstroke points.

Alcaraz surrendered one service possession in the third, which was capitalized by Shelton who forced a fourth set drama.

Shelton aggressively pushed the pace and put Alcaraz behind the baseline to start the fourth, but the more experienced Grand Slam winner countered back with his net game that garnered him four quick smashes in the fourth set alone.

Little did Shelton know that another Alcaraz barrage was coming, as the home favorite unloaded vicious down-the-line forehands that went missing during the first set.

That signature stroke also became Alcaraz’s passage to the quarterfinals as he unleashed the match-point shot off a down-the-line, en route to a playoff duel against world no. 12 ranked Tommy Paul who earlier defeated Alexei Popyrin.

“I tried to calm myself and tried to keep going. I think we played really great tennis. Drops, coming to the net, big shots, and we stayed there the whole match,” said Alcaraz after the win.