He has been called the best player in the world by Djokovic, the No 1 player himself. He was, according to some bookmakers, the tournament favourite to win Roland Garros even with Djokovic and Nadal present. He arrived in Paris with expectations higher than they have been for any teenager since Nadal 17 years ago.
Yet in a delirious battle on Court Simmone-Mathieu late into yesterday evening, Alcaraz nearly fell at the second hurdle. Alcaraz stood match point down in the fourth set on Albert Ramos-Viñolas's serve, then he trailed 0-3 in a fifth set that threatened to fall from his grasp. Alcaraz somehow recovered to defeat Ramos- Viñolas 6-1, 6-7 (7), 5-7, 7-6 (2), 6-4 and reach the third round.
This story is from the May 26, 2022 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the May 26, 2022 edition of The Guardian.
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