In a dazzling display under the Parisian night sky, Carlos Alcaraz delivered a masterclass at the 2025 French Open, dismantling American Tommy Paul in a one-sided quarter-final clash on June 3. The defending champion and world number two left no room for doubt, cruising to a 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 victory in just 94 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier. For Paul, the 12th seed and a first-time Roland Garros quarter-finalist, the match was a humbling reminder of Alcaraz’s unparalleled prowess on clay. Reflecting on the defeat, Paul drew parallels between Alcaraz and world number one Jannik Sinner, suggesting their current form makes them nearly untouchable. “Lately, we’ve seen Jannik really destroying his opponents, and I think today was Carlos’ turn,” Paul remarked, acknowledging the Spaniard’s scintillating performance.
The match was a showcase of Alcaraz’s relentless precision and versatility. From the opening game, he set a blistering pace, breaking Paul at love and racing to a 5-0 lead in the first set, which he claimed in just 23 minutes. The second set followed a similar script, with Alcaraz dropping just one game as he unleashed a barrage of winners—40 in total, nearly half of his points won. Paul, hampered by a heavily taped right thigh and an abdominal issue, struggled to find his rhythm, managing only five winners against 20 unforced errors through the first two sets. “I could close my eyes and everything went in,” Alcaraz said, describing the match as one where he felt “unbelievable,” hitting every shot with 100% commitment. His performance was a stark reminder of why he’s a four-time Grand Slam champion at just 22, with a 19-1 record on clay this season.
Paul, despite the lopsided scoreline, showed resilience in the third set, briefly leading 4-3 before Alcaraz reeled off the final three games. The American’s effort to make the set competitive was notable, especially given his physical limitations. “I have played against Tommy many times and each match was very difficult. He beat me two times,” Alcaraz noted, crediting Paul’s past victories over him in Montreal and Cincinnati for keeping him focused. Yet, Paul’s injuries limited his ability to run, serve, or strike groundstrokes at full force, leaving him little chance against an Alcaraz in top form. “It’s tough enough for any player to deal with Carlos Alcaraz at the French Open,” Paul reflected, emphasizing the Spaniard’s dominance when firing on all cylinders.
For Paul, reaching the Roland Garros quarter-finals alongside compatriot Frances Tiafoe marked a historic moment—the first time two American men achieved the feat since Andre Agassi in 2003. His run included gritty five-set wins over Marton Fucsovics and Karen Khachanov, showcasing his improved clay-court game. Despite the loss, Paul’s performance will see him climb to a career-high world number eight in the ATP rankings, a testament to his consistency this season. “Tommy is an unbelievable player,” Alcaraz acknowledged, highlighting the respect between the two despite the one-sided result.
Alcaraz’s victory secured his third consecutive French Open semi-final berth, matching Rafael Nadal’s feat as the second-fastest player to notch 20 match wins at Roland Garros. He now faces Lorenzo Musetti on June 6, a matchup that promises to test his mettle as he pursues a second consecutive title. “Every tournament here is special,” Alcaraz said, expressing his love for the Parisian clay and the electric energy of the crowd, even apologizing for the brevity of the match: “I know you wanted to watch more tennis, I’m sorry about it!” His sportsmanship shone through, a trait evident in his earlier rounds, such as when he conceded a point against Ben Shelton after realizing he’d dropped his racket during a volley.
For Paul, the defeat was a learning experience, though it left him pondering the challenge of facing Alcaraz or Sinner at their peak. “I think both are playing at an extremely high level right now,” he said, placing them head and shoulders above the field. As Alcaraz continues his title defense, the tennis world watches in awe, wondering if anyone can disrupt his march toward a fifth major title. For now, Paul’s words ring true—when Alcaraz plays like this, he’s virtually unstoppable.
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