Tim Henman shocked by what Ben Shelton did against Carlos Alcaraz in their thrilling French Open clash

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Ben Shelton has bowed out of the French Open, with the American having lost his fourth round clash with Carlos Alcaraz.

Coco Gauff thinks Alcaraz will win the French Open, with the Spaniard now taking on another American in Tommy Paul.

Alcaraz is the second seed at the French Open, where the four-time Grand Slam champion is looking to defend his title from 2024.

He defeated Alexander Zverev in last year’s final, and is now into another quarter-final on clay after a thriller versus Shelton.

The pair battled it out on Court Philippe-Chatrier for three hours and 19 minutes, with Alcaraz eventually winning 7-6(10-8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

Ben Shelton shocks Tim Henman in French Open loss to Carlos Alcaraz

He now boasts 100 ATP Tour-level wins on clay, with Shelton set to analyse what went wrong against the Spanish star.

Former British number one Tim Henman has shared his verdict on the American, saying on TNT Sports: “I have to give credit where credit is due.

READ MORE: Ben Shelton claimed to have a rare weapon he can use on clay which Rafael Nadal also had

“I did not think Shelton could play that well on a clay court. I thought Alcaraz would chop him up in three straight sets. He got a set and he very much could have had that first set.

“I think if he gets that first set then the match has a completely different complexion, but Alcaraz was able to find the solutions.”

Carlos Alcaraz vs Tommy Paul head-to-head record before French Open clash

Shelton has certainly come on leaps and bounds on clay, but he came up against one of the top players on the surface in Paris.

The 13th seed battled past Italian duo Lorenzo Sonego and Matteo Gigante to reach this stage, with Frenchman Hugo Gaston having withdrawn from their second round meeting.

READ MORE: Jannik Sinner suggests what should not be happening with him and Carlos Alcaraz

And he certainly pushed defending champion Alcaraz all the way, in what was Shelton’s first fourth round match in Paris.

The run looks set to kickstart many more appearances at the French Open, and indeed many more battles between the American and Alcaraz.

Shelton will now be eager for his compatriot Paul to enact revenge on the Spaniard, although history is not on his side.

Paul goes into their quarter-final meeting with two wins compared to four for Alcaraz, who has won their last three matches.