Alcaraz Rallies Past De Jong, Rublev, Sinner Winners At French Open; Wawrinka Falls

Carlos Alcaraz faced a stern test in his second round at the French Open edging out Jesper de Jong 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.

The 23-year-old Dutchman was getting outclassed in his second Grand Slam as Alcaraz went up two sets. But thanks to some brilliant shot-making, de Jong made a match of it breaking Alcaraz twice in the third and then even going up a break 2-1 in the fourth. Alcaraz, though, settled down and took the final five games of the match.

Alcaraz finished with 35 winners with 47 unforced errors. It was not his best performance but good enough to improve to 8-0 in the first two rounds at the French Open.

“As I have said many times, any player can put you in trouble,” Alcaraz said to the ATP. “You have to be very focused every match and every point and every round. It does not matter if I am at the top of the rankings and playing someone outside the Top 100. You have to think you have to play at your best if you want to get through. The ranking doesn’t matter, it matters the level to keep going and I am sure he will break the Top 100.”

With the rains cancelling play on the outer courts, those with showcourt matches had the benefit. Stefanos Tsitsipas eased past the dangerous Daniel Altmaier 6-3, 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-4. Altmaier, who stunned Jannik Sinner on Lenglen last year, led with a break 4-3 in the fourth before dropping three of the final four games.

Sinner was on at night and took care of Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. Late in the match, Sinner was struggling with some cramps or leg issues. He is now 30-0 on the season and 9-0 in Slams.

“The atmosphere has been amazing. I know you guys were cheering for Richard, but it has been a very, very fair crowd,” Sinner said. “He gave as a player, and still gives so much for tennis. It’s so nice to have him around … he’s still playing incredible tennis.”

No. 6 Andrey Rublev handled Pedro Martinez 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.

In the finale in a match that finished after midnight, Pavel Kotov eliminated 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka 7-6(5), 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(5). Kotov will now face Sinner on Friday.

Of the 16 men’s matches schedule for Wednesday, just five were completed. That means 11 men will have to play Thursday and Friday.

Richard Gasquet, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev, Jannik Sinner, Pedro Martinez, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniel Altmaier,

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