The red clay of Roland Garros was ablaze with intensity on June 1, 2025, as defending champion Carlos Alcaraz faced off against American rising star Ben Shelton in a gripping fourth-round match at the French Open. The three-hour, 19-minute battle on Court Philippe-Chatrier ended with Alcaraz securing a 7-6(8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory, marking his 100th tour-level win on clay. Yet, it was Shelton’s electrifying performance that left former British No. 1 Tim Henman in awe, declaring, “I did not think Shelton could play that well on a clay court. I thought Alcaraz would chop him up in three straight sets.” Shelton’s tenacity and flair pushed the Spaniard to the brink, making their clash a highlight of the tournament’s second week.
Shelton, the No. 13 seed, entered his first fourth-round appearance at Roland Garros with confidence, having breezed past Matteo Gigante 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in the third round and battled through a five-set thriller against Lorenzo Sonego earlier. Against Alcaraz, the 22-year-old American unleashed his trademark power, delivering serves up to 143 mph and forehands reaching 116 mph. His aggressive baseline game and fearless shot-making, including a monstrous 225 km/h ace, kept the Parisian crowd on edge. “He got a set and he very much could have had that first set,” Henman noted, highlighting how Shelton’s three set points in the opening tiebreak nearly shifted the match’s momentum. Despite falling short, Shelton’s ability to challenge Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam champion, showcased his growing prowess on a surface where he was once considered less adept.
Alcaraz, no stranger to high-stakes battles, admitted to grappling with his own mental struggles during the match. “Honestly, today I fought against myself in the mind,” he said, reflecting on moments of frustration where he was “mad, angry with myself, talking not good things.” His resilience shone through, particularly in a pivotal moment of sportsmanship early in the second set. After Shelton fired a blistering passing shot, Alcaraz’s racket flew from his hand, yet the strings miraculously sent the ball back over the net for what appeared to be a winning volley. Initially awarded the point, Alcaraz immediately conceded it, admitting he had lost his grip, a gesture that earned a roaring ovation from the crowd. “I thought, ‘OK, I could not say anything.’ But I would have felt guilty if I didn’t say anything,” he explained, underscoring his integrity.
The match was a rollercoaster of momentum swings. Shelton earned six break points in the second set’s opening game but couldn’t convert, allowing Alcaraz to seize control with a late break. The American fought back, claiming the third set after a net cord gifted him two set points, which he celebrated with a fist-pumping cry of “Let’s go, baby!” Yet, Alcaraz’s tactical brilliance and clay-court mastery prevailed in the fourth, where a perfectly executed drop shot set up a crucial break for a 2-1 lead. “Every time we face each other, we bring the level to the top,” Alcaraz said, praising Shelton’s explosive style. “He is a really powerful player. He can make any shots. I think we played really great tennis.”
Henman’s surprise stemmed from Shelton’s unexpected adaptability on clay, a surface that typically favors Alcaraz’s heavy topspin and relentless movement. “I think if he gets that first set, then the match has a completely different complexion,” Henman mused, noting how close Shelton came to tilting the contest in his favor. Shelton’s performance marked a significant milestone, as he joined compatriots Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round, the first time three American men reached this stage at Roland Garros since 1995. Despite the loss, Shelton’s rise to No. 12 in the live ATP rankings signals his growing threat.
Alcaraz’s victory sets up a quarter-final showdown with Tommy Paul, who defeated Alexei Popyrin in straight sets. As the Spaniard chases his fifth major title and third clay-court crown of 2025, his battles against American opponents highlight the resurgence of U.S. men’s tennis. For Shelton, the match was a testament to his potential. “I thought it was clean, you know?” he said of Alcaraz’s sportsmanship moment, adding, “Obviously a guy with a lot of sportsmanship.” As he reflects on his defeat, Shelton’s fearless display against one of clay’s greatest promises more epic battles to come, leaving fans eager for his return to Paris.
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