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After winning the Queen’s Club, only Wimbledon stands as Alcaraz’s main priority to win and stand tall in a repeat of his last year’s dominance. Of course, not everyone expected the Spanish star to stay hot, considering that he came off fresh from his Roland Garros triumph, and yet the star proved that he can win when it matters most. At this point, it becomes easy to say that Alcaraz is definitely more suited to play in ever-changing surfaces. Now more than ever, there’s a lot of opponents coming in his way, but then he has silenced his critics, and he is going to keep it that way with the hopes of clinching Wimbledon for the second time around – and taking his shot at the world no. 1 spot as well. Blowing past Jiri Lehecka for the ATP 500 trophy was a promising move and victory for Alcaraz, and it cannot be denied that he continues to prove that he is a lethal opponent on almost every single court. At this point, it is expected that he will likely be on the attack when it comes to Wimbledon, and he is definitely not going that far in his hopes of domination on the grass. Dominating the Queen’s Club Alcaraz dominated his path to the final of the HSBC Championships. He only dropped two sets en route to the title. If that was not enough to note that the star nearly had it easy, then nothing will ever be. So far, his poise in the game has been special, and Alcaraz’s dominance has certainly made it look even more special. “I’m going to say it's really complicated, switching from clay to grass in just a few days, because that's the time I had before the tournament began. I had just two days of practising and then I had to compete here,” Alcaraz said. “So I came here with no expectations at all. I just came here with a goal to play two, three matches, trying to feel great on grass moving, and give myself the feedback of what I had to improve, what I had to do better.” By the end of the tournament, Alcaraz looked poised to win it all without a doubt. He delivered a total of 18 aces in the final and did not lose in his final three matches of the week. He has been able to work on his closeout performances, and moving 2-1 in his head-to-head clash with Lehecka shows that incredible poise. The Grass Favorite Not only is Alcaraz a shining player on the clay courts at this point, but also a budding king in the grass. So far, this level of play has been impressive from the Spanish star, and he may well be on the rise for making it happen once more. In fact, Alcaraz stands as the heavy favorite to win in Wimbledon – tied at +150 with Roland Garros finalist Jannik Sinner – who is also the current world no. 1. Novak Djokovic follows suit with +550, and Jack Draper lags behind at +1000. So far, all signs point toward Alcaraz making a repeat win in Wimbledon, but the challenges are going to be different – and there are bigger stakes and implications at this one. It is clear that Alcaraz feels well at home whenever he takes on the grass courts, and this says a lot about his strong showing and what fans can expect at Wimbledon.

What a season it has been for Taylor Fritz so far, and it cannot be denied that his recent stretch has been impressive. Thanks to his Stuttgart triumph earlier this week, the American rising star continues to roar loud in the campaign and is insanely delivering massive performances night in and night out. This has been a one-of-a-kind season for Fritz, who has returned to his highest ranking overall in his career. The American was ranked at world no. 4 back in November last year, but eventually dropped in his level of play, winning just three matches in four clay court tournaments. It hasn’t been easy, but his recent climb has been quite phenomenal that he’s back up to where he’s supposed to be. But Fritz’s start in the grass campaign has been great to begin with. Fritz lifted a trophy in Stuttgart and played well in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Now he sets his eyes on the bigger games with Wimbledon also looming around. After all, everyone wants to win big on that side, and it is expected that this will be Fritz’s goal to conquer now more than ever. A Win to Remember With this impeccable win against Alexander Zverev in the final of Stuttgart, Fritz has moved to an 8-5 record in his head-to-head series with the German star. He took down Zverev in two straight sets to capture the BOSS Open trophy, showing that he still has what it takes to play at a high level. Fritz did not let up right from the start and clinched the ATP 250 title in a short while. He took the opening set on Sunday in just 30 minutes after he forced Zverev to have double faults. The German only managed to save a break point in the second set, before Fritz pulled away with a strong rally to end the match. Now he is seeking to come up with a huge run with the Queen’s Club this week, followed by a huge rally in the grass major in Wimbledon, which will be the main highlight of this surface run with many players keen to come up with a massive rally. That includes Fritz, who is seeking his first major win of the season as he is yet to show life in his runs. “I’m back,” Fritz cheekily wrote on the camera lens following the victory. Ending 2025 With a Bang? It can be remembered that Fritz also had a strong finish in 2024, performing well in the grass season and reaching the finals of the US Open and the ATP Finals. This has been quite a roller-coaster season for the American star, and one can say that this is the big run that he’s been waiting for to build his pace on for the rest of his season. "I'm really happy, especially as it was not too great of a clay season," said Fritz. "From there, to come and start the grass season off perfectly, I am super happy." A win in the Queen’s Club and Wimbledon would put the American star closer to the world no. 3 spot, also held by Zverev. At this point, it is expected that Fritz will use the victory in Stuttgart as a launching pad to deliver his impressive games and reach a much more promising level of play in his games this season.

The action never stops, and that is what the level of dedication that Carlos Alcaraz brings to the table as he now leads the latest odds for the upcoming ATP 500 in the HSBC Championships in London. After all, Alcaraz isn’t just a clay merchant, but also a menace on the grass courts as he is expected to dominate the scene. Alcaraz made his debut on the Queen’s Club back in 2023, and won the tournament at the same time. He is now slated to return to the tournament once more as he is chasing a lot of points to get back on the track for the world no. 1 spot, which is still dominated by Jannik Sinner – even after the latter’s defeat to the Spaniard. Defending champion Tommy Paul is also set to make his return in hopes of going back-to-back in the tournament. Finalist of the 2014 edition Grigor Dimitrov is also slated to make his presence felt in this year’s entry list. A lot of opponents for Alcaraz to consider are coming onto the big stage, and this is just the start of the grass campaign. Mulling Decisions Despite a promising performance after the five-hour showdown against Sinner in the French Open final, Alcaraz is considering his options for the ATP 500 tournament, consulting with his team to ensure he is fully prepared for the competition. After all, Alcaraz partied last year after winning in Paris, but this time he hopes to have a lead up tournament before the big game in Wimbledon. Alcaraz is set to defend another of his major titles in that big stage. The Spanish star wants to keep the momentum going, especially with that brewing rivalry against Jannik Sinner that is expected to continue to this stage of the season. "The plan is to play, but we'll make a final decision in a few days. We talked about it mid-tournament, and Carlos told us he was looking forward to going,” Alcaraz’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero said of the intent to play in the Queen’s Club. “After these days of rest, on Thursday or Friday, we'll do a test to see how he feels physically and mentally. We're going to Wimbledon with great enthusiasm; Carlos loves playing there.” This was discussed between Alcaraz and Ferrero in the middle of the Roland Garros, which says a lot about the supreme confidence that he has been seeing in his games to even think about it in the middle of a high-stakes tournament. The Queen’s Club: By the Numbers According to the latest odds, Alcaraz stands with a -300 to win the HSBC Championships. Following him behind is Taylor Fritz at +600, and Jack Draper at +700. It is safe to say that these three players will be the top stars to watch in the tournament and will likely keep the show on the road with their elite performances. Paul is also slated to put in some massive performances of his own, but the odds have him pumped up all the way to +800. At this point, it is expected that there will be a lot of heavy battles on the way as the competition winds up to be a crucial set up heading into the big tournaments of the grass season. After all, this is indeed going to be quite a fantastic finish for Alcaraz should he play and win the rest of the way.

In what was seen as a massive showdown between the top two players in the tennis world, Carlos Alcaraz shines bright on the big stage after a huge rally in the final three sets to beat world no. 1 Jannik Sinner and close out a five-hour affair in the final of the French Open. It took five sets for the Spanish star to bring the house down with a strong finish. If Alcaraz was going to get his fifth major title, it had to be in dramatic fashion as he had to overcome a two-set deficit to begin the final against Sinner. He is now the third man in the Open Era to save at least one championship point before winning a Grand Slam title. Fans were given a massive treat of a 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), and 7-6 (10-2) showdown all the way to the finish. Fans at the Court Philippe-Chatrier echoed for most of the night, and Paris definitely had the crowd rocking when Alcaraz turned what was expected to be a breeze from Sinner, who also eliminated Novak Djokovic in the semis, which helped him nearly even the early odds of the game. Alcaraz showed his grit, and now he stands strong with a triumphant finish. A Slugfest of a Showdown In a best of three series, players who go up 2-0 eventually end up winning the whole match. That was not the story in this battle between the top two players of the ATP Tour. After Sinner went up 2-0, Alcaraz went on to knock up three set wins of his own and finished the final set with a thrilling flurry of volleys. “I just want to say thank you for everything to my team and family;” said Alcaraz. “I have the privilege to be able to live great things with you. I was lucky to have a lot of people who came from Murcia, from home, to support me. It is just amazing support you gave me today, during the whole two weeks, including the people who weren’t able to come but are at home. Thank you very much and this trophy is yours as well, so thank you.” This so-called “match of the year” hit its peak in the fourth set with the two stars trading blows, and it picked up well once more heading into the fifth set. Alcaraz served up a promising rally to save three championship points on serve before finally breaking up the momentum and taking over. The Final Moments In the end, it was decided by a fifth-set tie, and the Spanish star pulled away to defend his Roland Garros title. Alcaraz’s screaming forehand passing shot down the line on a dead run, and Sinner could do nothing but watch as the ball blew past him. Alcaraz went on to collapse on the ground and was already in tears after he went on to win. He later stood up with a lot of dirt in his back before embracing Sinner – a show of mutual respect that the pair brings to the table. The Spanish star now stands a 13-1 record in the fifth set, which shows his dominant touch in the clutch. This victory marks the 37th win of Carlos Alcaraz in the whole season, and he also moves to 8-4 in his head-to-head series against Sinner. What a performance indeed.

Some of the odds may have stacked hard against him, but it seems that Novak Djokovic himself has found hope to believe in his game after showing off in the Roland Garros quarterfinal showdown against last year’s finalist Alexander Zverev, beating the German star in four sets to punch his ticket to the semis. That marks the 51st time in the Serbian’s career that he’s been able to reach the semis stage of a Grand Slam tournament. In what was expected to be a victory for Zverev, Djokovic turned the tide in his favor and went on to escape with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, and 6-4 rally. The victory also puts him at 9-5 in his overall head-to-head series with Zverev. Nothing has been easy for Djokovic, who is yet to win a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2023. The world no. 6 has worked hard to get back into his winning groove, and now it seems that he’s finally getting back on track as he gears up for an exciting semifinal run – against world no. 1 Jannik Sinner. A Massive Victory for Djokovic Djokovic was extremely superb in claiming a resounding victory against Zverev in the quarterfinal, putting up a more varied approach to his game as he was firing on all cylinders while also keeping the German from coming up with an impressive run and getting into his hot hand. The last time these two stars played each other, Djokovic had to retire from the semis in the Australian Open earlier this year. Now the Serbian has evened the score with a strong showing in Paris, earning the praise of the crowd as well. “Especially during the last game, my tactic was just to play drop shots,” said Djokovic. “So I played three or four in a row… Maybe you can’t see it on TV, but there is a lot of wind from one side, so it gives the sensation that you must hit twice as hard. It was important to vary the game.” Djokovic did not start strong in his clay-court swing this season, but he surely had his form rediscovered after that resounding victory at the Geneva Open and has carried the same form since. Sometimes, all a star needs to get back on track from a slump is to win a tournament – no matter what the degree of the event is. A Brewing Showdown vs Sinner Djokovic is slated to take on Jannik Sinner today with a chance to advance to the final stage of the tournament. Carlos Alcaraz is also set to battle Italian rising star Lorenzo Musetti on the other side of the bracket. For Djokovic, this showdown against Sinner has more bearing than any other matchup he’s had so far as it would also allow him to finally test his improvements in the game. Of course, Sinner is coming off amazing form despite missing out on a huge chunk of the season due to his doping ban. The Italian world no. 1 came up with a superb performance to beat Alexander Bublik in straight sets, 6-1, 7-5, 6-0. So far, it has been the best showing for Sinner, and it’s going to be a challenge for Djokovic to deliver a win at this point. Djokovic, on the other hand, has just capped off his 100th victory at the Roland Garros, and he’s no stranger to challenges like this. In fact, he lives for it.

Carlos Alcaraz had to grind his way with the hopes of scoring an impressive win, and he did so against one of the best opponents available in Ben Shelton, leading to a four-set clash that needed three hours and 19 minutes to finish in what has been a showdown to remember in one of the toughest surfaces to play in tennis. Fans flocked to the Court Philippe-Chatrier as the showdown went underway, and it cannot be denied that it was the spectacle of the day as it featured two of the hottest players in the Tour. Both players immediately came firing when it mattered most despite the beating Parisian sun bearing down on them. Eventually, only one player came out on top, and it was Alcaraz who sustained the fire for the whole clash and went on to advance in the end, showing his impressive prowess and how he has been able to adapt, improvise, and overcome each of his opponents so far. A Battle to Remember In a showdown that has seen superb shot-making, elite-level net play, and high-quality performances from two stars, Alcaraz has been no stranger to adversity as he faced Shelton, who has been a high-level performer in the game as well. The Spanish star went on to tell the tale and won 7-6(8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 to earn his shot at the quarterfinal of the Roland Garros. "Today I fought against myself, against the mind," Alcaraz said of his massive victory against Shelton, which was his toughest matchup so far. "I just tried to calm myself. In some moments I was mad, I was angry with myself. Talking not really good things but I am really happy to not let those thoughts play against me. I tried to calm myself down and I tried to keep going. That is what I tried." As the defending champion of the French Open, all eyes are on Alcaraz now more than ever. The Spanish star is chasing his fifth major in a fortnight and third clay-court title in the season as he went on to win in Monte-Carlo and Rome – two Masters 1000 events. Alcaraz missed out on a chance to score all three clay Masters events after he opted out of the Madrid Open due to an injury. The odds still favor Alcaraz to win in his big game tomorrow against another American star in Tommy Paul. If you want to make the most of your wagers, now is the time to consult our Gamble AI for the best parlays you can make in this showdown. A Historic Pace for Alcaraz The world no. 2 is definitely not slowing down in the game, and he is defying all the odds stacked against him to the point that it already looks like he’s flipping the script. He is certainly riding on a winning pace, and is set to become the third man in this century to defend his Roland Garros title successfully. Only Rafael Nadal (10 times) and Gustavo Kuerten (2001) have managed to achieve such a feat in the history of the ATP Tour, which says a lot about Alcaraz’s dominant stretch in the game. At the age of 22, Alcaraz is definitely gearing up for a bigger campaign for the rest of the year. One way he could guarantee a winning pace is to cap off the clay run with a victory at the top of the Roland Garros stage once more.

Nothing is ever given in the tough clay courts of the Roland Garros, and being a youngster like Joao Fonseca taking on the challenging task means a lot. However, the Brazilian rising star is making waves in the French Open as he pulled off a massive upset, this time beating Hubert Hurkacz en route to a straight-set win in his debut. At the age of 18, Fonseca has just become the second-youngest match winner at the clay-court major in the last 10 years. The first and youngest player to do so? Carlos Alcaraz in 2021 – at the age of 18 as well. It does seem that youngsters and the Roland Garros seem to be syncing up well now more than ever. Fonseca looks forward to establishing his name in the ATP Tour, and this small breakthrough in the French Open is a great sign that he is indeed making the best headways in his games and is definitely racking up the most impressive wins that he needs to continue a promising pace in the competition. Breakout Season Continues for Fonseca Beating Hubert Hurkacz in a 6-2, 6-4, and 6-2 affair in his first match in the French Open is a promising note considering that his debut was expected to be an early exit. After all, Hurkacz is an experienced star in his own right, so being able to pull off the win against him is a big break for Fonseca, and the task does not stop there as well. “I played really well, focusing a lot on the returns and serves,” said Fonseca, last year's champion at the Next Gen ATP Finals. “I knew a lot of great serves were going to come and I was just focusing on putting the first return in, the plus one, the return plus-one, put it in the middle and try to be as aggressive as I can. Try to focus on opportunities, go to the net, and try to be aggressive when I can." Fonseca proved his worth well in a packed Court 7 and fed off the energy from the crowd. The Brazilian star overpowered Hurkacz on all sides and matched his heavy-hitting plays with elite consistency. After ending up as a finalist in the ATP 250 event in Geneva, playing against Novak Djokovic in the final has certainly helped him set his pace in the clay major. Coming in Hot Fonseca now stands at 11-7 in the tour record this season. Ranked no. 57 overall, it is expected that the Brazilian will make deeper climbs in his games as he seeks to launch his stardom to the big stage as well. Fonseca will next face French veteran Pierre-Hugues Herbert, 16 years his senior. This has been a night for Brazil. Fonseca is one of the few tennis pros to make their name on the big stage, and the youngster is still learning a lot of things and is yet to enter his prime years. To be able to win one game in the Roland Garros is already a huge achievement. With the pace he's going for right now? One can expect that he is definitely coming for a bigger chance to win in his games now more than ever. Who knows, maybe a new upset champion is waiting on the sidelies to make his presence felt on the upper echelon of the ATP Tour.

Roland Garros honored Rafael Nadal with an emotional tribute, celebrating his unparalleled legacy at the French Open. The ceremony took place on Court Philippe-Chatrier, marking the opening day of the tournament and commemorating the 14-time French Open champion's remarkable career. Nadal's connection to Roland Garros is legendary. Between 2005 and 2022, he secured 14 titles, amassing a 112-4 match record at the venue. His dominance on the clay courts of Paris earned him the moniker "King of Clay." In recognition of his contributions, a statue of Nadal's signature forehand was unveiled at the tournament grounds in 2021. The tribute ceremony featured a heartwarming video montage highlighting Nadal's journey from his 2005 debut to his final match in 2024. The crowd, many wearing "Merci Rafa" shirts, witnessed the unveiling of a plaque on Court Philippe-Chatrier, bearing Nadal's footprint and signature. Tennis legends Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray joined the event, emphasizing the camaraderie and respect Nadal garnered throughout his career. A Legendary Rafa Moment In his speech, Nadal expressed profound gratitude to his family, fans, and competitors. He acknowledged the French Tennis Federation's role in his journey and reflected on the special place Roland Garros held in his heart. The ceremony concluded with Nadal, holding his young son, waving to the crowd, encapsulating a poignant farewell to the tournament that defined much of his career. “I didn't know anything about the ceremony. The only thing that I knew before going there was going to be a video when I go on, then my speech, and then a couple of surprises,” said Nadal when asked of the plaque. “They didn't want me to know that. Then when I saw [it], I thought it was going to be just for this year. Knowing that's going to be forever there, it's a present that I can't describe in words.” It is a huge honor for Nadal’s career – and he was emotional to see all of his massive achievements on the clay surface. It was a special moment that Nadal would never forget. This tribute not only celebrated Nadal's achievements but also underscored the deep bond between the tennis icon and Roland Garros, ensuring his legacy endures for generations to come. “To have my three biggest rivals there on the court with me meant a lot, and at the same time it's a great message for the world: That the best rivals, toughest rivalries probably in the history of our sport are able to be good colleagues, to respect each other,” said Nadal. A Historic Dominance by Nadal From his debut win in 2005 at just 19 years old to his final title in 2022, Nadal amassed an astonishing 14 French Open titles — a record that stands unmatched in the Open Era. With a staggering 112-4 win-loss record on the Parisian clay, Nadal maintained a winning percentage of over 96% at Roland Garros, a level of supremacy never before seen at a single Grand Slam tournament. His combination of heavy topspin, relentless movement, and mental fortitude proved nearly impossible to counter on the slow, red surface. Beyond Roland Garros, Nadal’s mastery on clay extended across the ATP Tour. He has won 63 clay-court titles, including 11 Monte Carlo Masters and 10 Rome Masters, making him the all-time leader in titles on that surface. His playing style — built around explosive lateral movement, a punishing lefty forehand, and unmatched consistency — perfectly suited the demands of clay. As noted on the official Roland Garros website, “Nadal didn’t just win on clay — he redefined how to play on it,” becoming a symbol of both technical prowess and emotional intensity on the court.

In a partnership between Lacoste and the Novak Djokovic Foundation, a tennis court in Belgrade was inaugurated with the hopes of celebrating the legacy of one of the tennis elites. It is dedicated to further inspiring young players to pursue their tennis dreams while also providing charity work at the highest level in Djokovic’s hometown of Belgrade. Sitting at the heart of the native city, the court pays tribute to Djokovic’s career highlights and will be operated by the entire foundation as part of its educational program. The elite tennis star himself was present at the inauguration and spent time with local children on the tennis court. The special design of the court has the approval of Djokovic. This court by the foundation is one of the few steps they are taking in leading the way to combat educational inequality in the country. For what it is worth, Djokovic’s legacy in Serbia is showing up indeed to be a promising look at this point, and it is an inspiring one. A Court With Bigger Purpose The facility, located in the historic Dorćol district, had been temporarily closed following Djokovic’s decision to return the land to the city in May 2023. Now, under his personal stewardship, it has been revitalized to serve as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring athletes. The facility, now known as the Novak Djokovic Tennis Center, boasts state-of-the-art amenities, including multiple clay courts, a modern gymnasium, and dedicated spaces for physical therapy and sports science. These upgrades aim to provide young athletes with the tools they need to excel both physically and mentally. “I am super pleased that we are able to offer this to this city and this part of the town that has a lot of families and children that are excited to try their luck with tennis,” said Djokovic, who attended the event and rallied with local children on the court. “My greatest wish is for the children to feel completely free, happy, themselves. As an athlete, there is no greater joy for me than seeing many children doing sports and being outdoors.” Djokovic is already a legendary player in tennis, and he is definitely making a bigger legacy with his impact on his country. Working for Bigger Goals than the Sport The court is part of a broader initiative that includes similar projects in cities like Clichy, São Paulo, New York, and Grasse. These efforts reflect a shared commitment to expanding youth access to tennis and promoting physical activity among young people worldwide. The Novak Djokovic Foundation, co-founded by Djokovic and his wife Jelena, has been instrumental in supporting educational initiatives in Serbia, including the construction and refurbishment of schools. This new court further underscores their dedication to fostering community development and providing opportunities for the youth. “This center is not just about training; it’s about building a community,” Djokovic said about the tennis court. “A community that supports, encourages, and believes in each other.” With this initiative, Djokovic continues to leverage his platform to make a positive impact, combining his passion for tennis with a commitment to social responsibility. The Belgrade court stands as a testament to his enduring legacy and his dedication to nurturing the talents of future generations. Djokovic is slated to play straight in the Geneva Open and is likely headed towards bigger heights in the coming clay tournaments, especially the upcoming Roland Garros.

Fans at the Foro Italico were treated to a fantastic final showdown between world no. 1 Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who has been on a hot ride as he went on to claim his seventh ATP Masters 1000 title as he cruised for straight sets against the defending champion of the Italian Open. Of course, the expectation for this clash was an Italian fairy tale like last year’s. However, Alcaraz made sure that he would be able to crash the party, and so he did as he went on to score wins in straight sets to close out the world no. 1 and defending champion. That also snapped Sinner’s 26-match winning streak that spanned from last year. Alcaraz sealed the ordeal in just an hour and 44 minutes to secure his 19th tour-level trophy. That victory now sees him tied with Sinner as the player with the most tour-level trophies among those ATP stars born in the 2000s. Now, Alcaraz shifts his focus to the next task at hand – the French Open. A Winning Groove Alcaraz came, saw, and conquered this iconic tournament in Rome. He saved two set points in a tight opener before he carried the same pace heading into the final set. The Spanish star defeated Sinner in a 7-6 (5) and 6-1 affair in the final of the Italian Open with ease, extending his dominance in their head-to-head series at 7-4. “I’m just really happy to get my first Rome title, hopefully it’s not going to be the last one,” said Alcaraz. “The first thing I want to say is that I’m just really happy to see Jannik back at this amazing level. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for him coming back after three months and making the final of a Masters 1000 in his first tournament back. It’s something insane, so I have to congratulate him.” This match was no different for Alcaraz, who approached it with a gritty mentality and proved that he can be a masterful player on different facets as well. Alcaraz played well from the first point all the way to the final one, keeping his level mindset and showing that he can win on different play styles as well. Alcaraz now also becomes the first player to claim three ATP Tour titles this season, and the first to score multiple titles in the clay campaign. He also leads the Tour this season with 30 wins and is the fifth man to win all ATP Masters 1000 tournaments in the clay, joining the elite company of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Gustavo Kuerten and Marcelo Rios. Building a Strong Pace Alcaraz had to pull out from the Madrid Open due to an adductor injury. His return to form in Rome was a promising sight, and he only lost one set en route to the title. Since last May, Alcaraz stands at a 27-2 record in that regard, and now he has his eyes on the Roland Garros campaign now more than ever. “All eyes are on Paris right now, on Roland Garros,” said Alcaraz. “Beating Jannik, winning Rome, both things mix together and give me great confidence going to Paris. I always say ‘The final is not about playing, the final is about winning’. I just repeat that approach everytime I play a final.” Alcaraz is one of the elite players on clay, and it cannot be denied that he is starting to earn a massive reputation of high-level performances in that surface. This recent swing at the Italian Open says it all, and he may be able to cap off a huge finish in the clay as well.

Whether he wins the rest of the Italian Open or not, Carlos Alcaraz has already earned a headstart in the Roland Garros as the Spanish star now earns the second seed berth in the coming tournament. It seems that the recent successes have been paying off for the world no. 2 and is likely to give him an edge in the coming weeks. Alcaraz took down Jack Draper in straight sets to earn his semis berth in the Italian Open with ease. This victory now adds to his run in the ATP Live Rankings, where he now has a total of 8,240 points and can even leave Rome with no more than 8,085 points, locking him into the third seed. It has been an unprecedented run for Alcaraz, and he is getting a huge campaign on the run now more than ever. For context, the second seed in the Roland Garros is a serious advantage. For starters, Alcaraz will not face world no. 1 Jannik Sinner in the French Open until they both reach the final in Paris. On the other hand, Alexander Zverev is expected to headline one of the two middle quarters and the fourth seed is still yet to be determined – but is expected to end up at the hands of either Taylor Fritz or Draper. A Huge Advantage for Alcaraz Alcaraz isn’t enjoying a season full of rainbows so far. He has struggled to win a lot of the tournaments where he was a favorite to clinch points. For starters, the Spanish star has only won in the ATP Rotterdam and the Monte-Carlo Masters so far. He did, however, reach the final of the Indian Wells and Barcelona Open before he had to withdraw from the Madrid Open. "I think it's great being second seed in Roland Garros, knowing that I'm going to not see Jannik before the final, if I reach it. I think it's great," Alcaraz said. "It's something that I didn't think about, honestly." Alcaraz played superbly in his showdown with Draper. The Englishman led 4-2 in the first set, only for the Spanish star to storm back and win both sets at 6-4. Draper constantly applied pressure on whatever weak spot he can find on Alcaraz, but could not convert in all three break points that would have given him an edge in the game. Reigning French Open winner Alcaraz took advantage of the rest of the game and it was certainly on point as he did not look back. The Spanish star sealed the deal in just a breeze and was able to close out his slot in the semis. Regaining His Form Alcaraz’s impressive stretch could not have come at a better time than ever. This is a chance for the Spanish star to gain ground in closing out the clay court season. Beating Draper was a quality win for Alcaraz, and it only took him an hour and 38 minutes to wrap up the contest. “I think the most important thing that I did today was not thinking about the shots at all,” said Alcaraz. “Not thinking about the fact that I was down, just trying to do the things that make me happy. On court I just tried to be aggressive, play good shots, drop shots, go to the net. That’s what I like to do on the court, and I think that made the difference today. Alcaraz was glad that he played with a high rhythm in the game, and the Spaniard is seeking to keep that same pace heading into the later stages and bring it all the way to the French Open.