Carlos Alcaraz Battles Past Ben Shelton to Reach French Open 2025 Quarter-Finals
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz overcame a spirited challenge from Ben Shelton to reach the quarter-finals of the 2025 French Open. The Spaniard won 7-6(8) 6-3 4-6 6-4 in a high-quality contest, securing his 100th career clay-court win.
‘Angry’ Carlos Alcaraz Defeats Ben Shelton in French Open Thriller to Reach Quarter-Finals
1 June 2025 — Roland Garros
Carlos Alcaraz overcame mental battles and a strong challenge from American Ben Shelton to reach the quarter-finals of the 2025 French Open, winning 7-6(10-8) 6-3 4-6 6-4 on Court Philippe Chatrier.
The defending champion, just 22 years old, produced his best performance of the tournament so far in a physically and emotionally demanding match lasting three hours and 19 minutes. The victory marked Alcaraz's 100th win on clay on the ATP Tour.
“Honestly, today I fought against myself in the mind,” Alcaraz said after the match. “In some moments, I was mad. I was angry with myself, talking not good things. I just tried to calm myself and keep going.”
He will now face 12th seed Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals after the American defeated Alexei Popyrin 6-3 6-3 6-3.
A High-Octane Battle
Shelton came out firing and pushed Alcaraz throughout, especially in a tightly contested opening set. The American left-hander had three set points in the tie-break but failed to convert as Alcaraz held firm to claim the opener.
The Spaniard saved six break points in the first game of the second set, eventually securing a vital break of his own to move two sets up.
Shelton responded with renewed aggression in the third. After trading breaks early on, he held firm under pressure and benefitted from a lucky net chord to earn two set points at 5-4. He converted the second to force a fourth set.
However, Alcaraz raised his level again in the decider, breaking early to take a 2-1 lead and never looking back. Despite some dazzling rallies, Shelton couldn’t recover the break.
Respect and Rivalry
“Every time we face each other, we bring the level to the top,” Alcaraz said. “He is a really powerful player. He can make any shot. I think we played really great tennis — drops, coming to the net, big shots. We entertained the people.”
“For me, it is great having Ben around — a great energy for tennis and for the people. I love watching him play.”
Other Results
Later in the day, American 15th seed Frances Tiafoe beat Germany’s Daniel Altmaier 6-3 6-4 7-6(7-4). He will face eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti, who defeated 10th seed Holger Rune 7-5 3-6 6-3 6-2 during the night session.
It marks only the second time Musetti has reached a Grand Slam quarter-final, his first being at Wimbledon in 2024.