Carlos Alcaraz of Spain performs a forehand throughout a observe session on Day 9 of the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros on June 02, 2025 in Paris, France
| Photograph Credit score: Getty Pictures
Carlos Alcaraz expects a stiff problem from Tommy Paul within the French Open quarter-finals on Tuesday (June 3, 2025), as girls’s title rivals Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka look to arrange a blockbuster conflict.
Reigning males’s champion Alcaraz is thru to the final eight at Roland Garros for the fourth 12 months operating and goals to turn out to be the third man this century to defend his title, after Gustavo Kuerten and Rafael Nadal.
Alcaraz has dropped a set in every of the previous three rounds and stated “I fought in opposition to myself within the thoughts” after a tricky four-set victory over Ben Shelton within the final 16.
The 22-year-old Spaniard holds a 4-2 profession file in opposition to Paul, the U.S. twelfth seed whom Alcaraz beat within the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympics on the way in which to a silver medal final August.
“I do not forget that each match that I’ve performed in opposition to him he was actually powerful,” stated Alcaraz.
“His stage is de facto excessive proper now. He has lots of confidence.
“It’s going to be a very fascinating match to observe, as a result of each time we play in opposition to one another, we rise our stage to the highest as nicely.”
If Alcaraz will get previous Paul he’ll meet the winner of Tuesday’s (June 2, 2025) different males’s quarter-final between in-form Italian Lorenzo Musetti and Frances Tiafoe.
Musetti has been one of many kind gamers on clay this season, reaching a minimum of the final 4 in all three of the principal warm-up occasions forward of the French Open.
Each Musetti and U.S. fifteenth seed Tiafoe are showing at this stage of Roland Garros for the primary time.
Tiafoe, twice a U.S. Open semi-finalist, has but to drop a set in Paris and is assured he can go even additional.
“After I’m enjoying nicely, I’m there and current and having enjoyable, I feel the sky’s the restrict for me.”
Swiatek, Sabalenka on collision course
Swiatek arrived at her favorite event with severe doubts over her potential to win a fifth French Open in six years after a prolonged trophy drought.
The 24-year-old Pole has not received a title since lifting the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen for a 3rd successive version 12 months in the past.
She was put to the take a look at by Elena Rybakina, who led by a set and a break earlier than Swiatek escaped bother to e-book a quarter-final with Elina Svitolina.
“It means loads. I feel I wanted that type of win to love really feel these emotions that I’m capable of win underneath strain,” Swiatek stated after reeling off her twenty fifth win in a row on the French Open.
“It’s an amazing affirmation for me. Yeah, I for positive needed to have a match like that.”
Ukrainian thirteenth seed Svitolina pulled off an much more exceptional comeback in opposition to 2024 runner-up Jasmine Paolini, saving three match factors to succeed in her fifth Roland Garros quarter-final.
The 30-year-old has by no means superior to the final 4 however will hope to lastly match husband Gael Monfils’ run to the semi-finals in 2008.
That French connection additionally ensures Svitolina has her fair proportion of supporters in Paris.
“For therefore a few years I cherished and nonetheless loving to play right here in France,” she stated.
“The help is wonderful. They push me to play higher… this can be a nice feeling to have when the group is supplying you with this further power.”
World primary Aryna Sabalenka is on a revenge mission in opposition to Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen after shedding to the Chinese language star in Rome just lately.
Zheng beat Sabalenka for the primary time in seven makes an attempt and can attempt to repeat the trick in opposition to the participant she misplaced to within the 2024 Australian Open closing.
“I count on an amazing battle, and I’m tremendous excited to face her within the quarter-finals, and I need to get my revenge. Yeah, I need to get this win after Rome,” stated Sabalenka.
Madrid champion Sabalenka feels she is able to go all the way in which in Paris, the place her finest efficiency was reaching the semi-finals two years in the past.
“I feel within the final 12 months I improved loads in my sport, and I feel now going to the French Open, I don’t have these doubts that I can’t play on clay, so possibly I’m extra assured this 12 months.”
A win over Zheng may line up an eagerly anticipated last-four showdown with Swiatek.
Revealed – June 03, 2025 09:50 am IST
