In a dazzling display of skill and precision, Carlos Alcaraz stormed into the semifinals of the 2025 Roland Garros tournament, leaving American Tommy Paul in his wake with a commanding 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 victory on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The 22-year-old Spaniard, already a four-time Grand Slam champion, delivered what many are calling his finest performance of the tournament, a near-flawless exhibition of power, finesse, and unrelenting aggression that solidified his status as the player to beat in Paris. As the defending champion, Alcaraz’s performance sent a resounding message to his rivals: he is on a mission to retain his French Open crown.
From the opening serve, Alcaraz was a force of nature. His aggressive playstyle overwhelmed Paul, who struggled with injuries to his abdomen and leg, leaving him unable to counter the Spaniard’s relentless onslaught. Alcaraz’s forehands cracked like thunder across the court, his drop shots floated with delicate precision, and his serve was a weapon, winning him 87 percent of points on his first serve. In just 94 minutes, he dispatched Paul with 39 winners and only 22 unforced errors, a stat line that underscored his dominance. “It was one of those matches where I could close my eyes and everything went in,” Alcaraz said after the match, his grin reflecting the sheer joy of playing at such an extraordinary level. “I was trying to give every shot my 100 per cent, no matter what it was. I wasn’t thinking about anything else, I was just hitting forward.”
The match was a stark contrast to Alcaraz’s earlier rounds, where he dropped sets in three of his first four matches, including a hard-fought four-set battle against Ben Shelton in the fourth round and a near five-set marathon against Damir Džumhur in the third. Against Paul, however, Alcaraz found his rhythm early, breaking the American’s serve in a lengthy second game of the opening set and racing through the next five games in just 30 minutes. The crowd roared with every point, especially when Paul finally got on the scoreboard after eight games, a moment that drew both cheers and sympathy. Alcaraz’s performance was so commanding that even Paul’s occasional flashes of brilliance—a crosscourt backhand or a well-placed volley—couldn’t disrupt the Spaniard’s momentum. “I have played against Tommy many times and each match was very difficult,” Alcaraz noted. “He beat me two times. We are in the quarter-finals at a Grand Slam at Roland Garros and this kind of match is never easy.”
This victory marked Alcaraz’s third consecutive semifinal appearance at Roland Garros, a testament to his growing mastery on clay. With a 32-2 record on the surface since May 2024, including titles in Monte-Carlo and Rome in 2025, Alcaraz has established himself as a clay-court titan. His 20th Roland Garros win, achieved in just 23 matches, makes him the second-fastest player in the Open Era to reach that milestone, trailing only his idol, Rafael Nadal. Alcaraz’s journey to this point has been remarkable. Since turning professional in 2018, the Murcia native has collected 19 ATP Tour-level singles titles, including the 2022 US Open, Wimbledon in 2023 and 2024, and Roland Garros in 2024. His ability to win majors on hard, grass, and clay surfaces at just 21 years old places him among tennis’s all-time greats.
Reflecting on his performance, Alcaraz described it as “almost perfect.” “Today was incredible. You know the ball is going in, no matter how you hit it. Every shot could be a winner. What more could I have done?” he said in his press conference. “There are always a few mistakes here and there, but I think I came close to perfection.” His confidence is well-earned, as he turned the court into an experimental playground, unleashing audacious shots like a running forehand down the line and a feathery drop shot that left Paul stranded. The sound of the ball exploding off his racket echoed through the Parisian night, a reminder of why he’s often compared to legends like Roger Federer, whom he recently called a “masterclass” after a practice session in Shanghai.
Alcaraz now faces Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in the semifinals, a familiar opponent he has defeated in four of their five encounters, including a 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 rout in the 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters final. Musetti, who reached the semifinals after a controversial quarterfinal win over Frances Tiafoe, will need to bring his A-game to challenge Alcaraz’s current form. “He’s world No. 7 or No. 6, I think,” Alcaraz said of Musetti. “He’s joined a group of players who have all reached the semifinals of major clay-court tournaments in a single season.” With a potential final against top seed Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic looming, Alcaraz’s quest for a second consecutive Roland Garros title is gathering momentum.
As Paris buzzes with anticipation, Alcaraz’s performance has reignited excitement about his potential to dominate tennis for years to come. His blend of athleticism, creativity, and mental fortitude makes him a fan favorite, and his ability to lead the crowd in a spirited chant of “popopopopopopo pololoooo!” after his third-round win only deepened their adoration. With just two matches standing between him and another Grand Slam title, Alcaraz is proving that when he’s at his best, he’s nearly untouchable.
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