In a sensational display of skill, Carlos Alcaraz exacted revenge on Sunday at Roland Garros by effortlessly defeating Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in the fourth round of the clay-court major.
Despite losing the first two games of the match, the top-seeded Spaniard swiftly turned the tables, winning 18 of the next 23 games and securing victory in just two hours and eight minutes. Alcaraz showcased his powerful groundstrokes from the baseline, striking the ball purposefully with both his forehand and backhand. He also demonstrated finesse at the net with delicate touch shots, solidifying his place in the quarter-finals for the second consecutive year at Roland Garros. Enhance your tennis viewing experience with attractive betting odds from Nextbet.
Speaking in his on-court interview, Alcaraz expressed his satisfaction with his performance, stating, “I think I played at such a great level. The quality of my shots was really high, playing aggressively. It was a complete match from the first ball to the last one. I’m really happy to overcome this tough round against Lorenzo.”
Although Musetti had previously defeated Alcaraz on clay in their sole ATP Head2Head encounter during the Hamburg final last year, he struggled to replicate that success this time. Alcaraz outplayed Musetti, hitting 42 winners compared to Musetti’s 17. He also capitalized on seven out of 14 break point opportunities. Alcaraz’s next challenge will be against either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Sebastian Ofner in the quarter-finals.
Alcaraz’s dominant performance against Musetti, combined with Musetti’s Hamburg victory and his flawless record of not dropping a set in his initial three matches in Paris, serves as a statement to the rest of the field. It signifies that Alcaraz is prepared to bring his highest level of play to contend for the Roland Garros title. Although Alcaraz dropped a set against Taro Daniel in the second round, he has since dispatched Denis Shapovalov and Musetti, conceding only seven games in each match.
With this victory, Alcaraz extends his winning streak to 11 matches in Grand Slam events. The reigning 2022 US Open champion boasts an impressive overall season record of 34 wins and 3 losses. Notably, he has achieved a remarkable 24-2 record on clay. This latest triumph keeps Alcaraz on course to retain his World No. 1 ranking, as Novak Djokovic strives to surpass him by winning the tournament. Get all the latest updates from the world of tennis only on Nextbet Sports.
When asked about handling the pressures that come with success, Alcaraz revealed his mindset, stating, “I try not to think about the No. 1 spot or the pressure of being one of the main favorites. I try to clear my mind of those thoughts. I focus on playing tennis, enjoying the game, and smiling all the time. That’s the key for me – to enjoy the moment, attempt impossible shots, and make people enjoy watching tennis. That’s all I think about during the match.”
