Carlos Alcaraz required a medical timeout against Tallon Griekspoor in Paris.
He lost serve two times in the opening set and played much better after that, missing a chance to force a decider.
Thus, Alcaraz extended his streak at notable events since Roland Garros, arranging the third-round clash with Roman Safiullin. Carlos served well at the beginning of the duel and created a break point in the second game after Tallon’s backhand error.
Alcaraz drew the rival’s mistake and delivered an early advantage. The Dutchman prolonged the third game and created a break chance with a volley winner at the net. The Spaniard saved it with a service winner and landed another to close the game and open a 3-0 gap.
Carlos held for 4-1 and created break chances in the next one following Tallon’s forehand mistake. Griekspoor hit a double fault on the second, getting broken for the second time and falling further behind. Alcaraz held at 15 in game seven, sealing the opener in style and hoping for more in the second set.
Tallon raised his level in the second set, defending his service game easily and taking charge in the exchanges.
He held at love in the ninth game, opening a 5-4 lead ahead of Carlos’ medical timeout outside the court. The young gun wasted a 40-15 lead in the tenth game and faced a set point after Tallon’s deep return. Alcaraz saved it with a volley winner and survived another deuce for 5-5.
The set went into a tie break, and Carlos overcame a 2-1 deficit with two mini-breaks. Griekspoor pulled the mini-break back in the sixth point for more drama. The Spaniard landed a forehand winner for 4-3 and fired another strong forehand for a mini-break and 5-3.
Alcaraz created three match points with a drop shot and seized the first with a service winner, taking four straight points and sealing the deal without playing a decider.
“I have a problem with my adductor, and it’s normal.
I felt it before, and I know how to deal with it. It’s not serious, and I should be ready to play the doubles tomorrow,” Carlos Alcaraz said.