Carlos Alcaraz shared some kind words about Sebastian Korda after beating him at the French Open.
The Spaniard contested his third round match against the 27th seed on Friday and he produced an impressive performance to reach the fourth round.
Alcaraz is aiming to win the third major of his career and a first in Paris and he is looking strong through his first three matches.
He was tested by Korda however, who won their only previous clay court meeting at the 2022 Monte Carlo Masters.
What did Carlos Alcaraz say about Sebastien Korda?
Alcaraz clinched the first set after breaking Korda’s serve at 5-4 and subsequently held serve to take the lead. The second set went to a tiebreak after an exchange of breaks in the opening stages.
The 21-year-old clinched it seven points to five and took a two-set lead before Alcaraz forged ahead 3-1 in set three and never looked back.
He claimed a 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-3 victory in two hours and 39 minutes and in the process booked a spot in round four. Post match he issued a positive assessment of his opponent.
“Not really,” when asked if he was worried about playing Korda. “I know my skills. Obviously Sebastian is a great player. A really good ball striker. He hits the ball really clean.
“It’s difficult to play him. It was like a marathon for me. I had to run side to side a lot. I wasn’t worried at all. I know what I’m capable of, my skills. I know it’s really difficult for him as well.”
Who will Carlos Alcaraz play next?
In the fourth round of Roland Garros, Alcaraz will perhaps face his toughest test so far.
He will play either Ben Shelton or Felix Auger-Aliasime, whose third round clash was delayed due to rain.
Alcaraz has played Shelton just once, and he claimed that encounter 6-3 7-6(3) at the Canadian Open in 2023.
The World number three has lost three of five encounters with the Canadian however, but has won the last two which both came at Indian wells’ BNP Paribas Open.
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