Carlos Alcaraz revealed he did not enjoy his long battle with Damir Dzumhur, as he had to fight back from what was developing into a perilous situation to seal a 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 win and book his place in round four at Roland Garros.
The defending champion looked set to enjoy a quick night on Court Philippe Chatrier as he stormed through the first two sets, but he stumbled as he pushed for the finishing line and needed to fight hard to get the job done in four sets.
“I didn’t enjoy it too much. I suffered quite a lot,” conceded Alcaraz.
“That’s why it’s difficult to win Grand Slams – because you have to play a really high level of tennis for three to four hours and maintain your focus. That is the most difficult part of tennis.
“The first two sets were under control and then he decided to play deeper and more aggressively. My energy went down and it was difficult to push myself, but I had to give everything I had inside. In the end, I’m proud to get the win in the end.
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“I love playing this kind of game. Playing aggressively, hitting great forehands and going to the net. When I play with confidence, I just go for it. Find the power and just kill it. I like to do that.
“Now I have to recover. We play a match on court and then we play another match to try and recover to be ready for the next match.”
Former world No 1 Jim Courier told TNT Sports that Alcaraz showed the downside to his ambition to play explosive tennis, as he argued his slide in form against Dzumhur is a possible reason why he will not reach the heights of the game’s all-time greats.
“I couldn’t be more torn about this,” said Courier. “I could not be more in love with the style of tennis he brings to the court and in awe of it because it is something so unique.
“His unbelievably aggressive mindset is so different from the Spanish mentality, which is concentrated and percentage tennis.
“Then the other part of me that wants to see him challenge the all-time great records thinks if he could just do a little less of that, maybe in 15 years’ time we could be looking at you and Novak (Djokovic), Rafa (Nadal) and Roger (Federer).
“I have long admired all the Spanish players as they always get the best out of their game and they never beat themselves.
“Alcaraz is a very different style of player and he doesn’t really have what I would consider the Spanish tennis mentality.”
Alcaraz now faces what should be a dynamic showdown against American big-hitter Ben Shelton, in what should be a thrilling fourth round encounter.
The defending Roland Garros champion will be the big favourite in a match that will see Shelton’s big serve slowed on the red clay in Paris, but Alcaraz needs to ensure he maintains his focus until he crosses the finish line.
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