French Open: Carlos Alcaraz Fights Back To Beat Ben Shelton To Reach Quarterfinals

Carlos Alcaraz fought back to defeat Ben Shelton in four sets and qualified for the quarterfinals of the French Open. 

Shelton forced the Spaniard to drop a set before he was outperformed in the fourth to be eliminated in 7-6(8) 6-3 4-6 6-4. The American's athleticism was to his advantage, allowing him to match up with his opponent's groundstroke and claim his second break advantage for a set point in the third. 

"We stayed there in the whole match," Alcaraz commended his opponent. "I think we played really great tennis, really complete. He's a really powerful player."

The opener was tough for Alcaraz, for having to trail to force a tiebreak to win the set. However, he got off to an early lead in the fourth for a 3-1 lead before Shelton was on a rally. The 22-year-old could not complete his rally to force a tie after saving a break at 5-3 as Alcaraz struck a forehand winner for a match point. 

In the previous round, the second seed ward off a scare from Damir Dzumhur, after he dropped the third set. He came back stronger in the fourth to outlast the Bosnian in four sets, 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. However, except for the opening round, Alcaraz has dropped a set in every round in this tournament. 

The one-time champion won his first Roland Garros title last season. Buying for his first Grand Slam title this season, Alcaraz will meet Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals. In the previous meeting at Wimbledon, the American lost to Alcaraz in the quarterfinals en route to the final, which the Spaniard won for the second consecutive time.