Carlos Alcaraz ‘happy’ with crushing win, but expects tough match against ‘aggressive’ Alexander Zverev

French Open
Carlos Alcaraz lets rip

Carlos Alcaraz produced another high-intensity performance to beat Karen Khachanov at Roland Garros and the win earned him a quarter-final showdown against Alexander Zverev.

The teenage sensation made it 14 wins in a row as he brushed aside Khachanov 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 14 minutes in the night match on Court Philippe-Chatrier, breaking new ground in the process as he is into his first last-eight match at the French Open.

Alcaraz was always in command as he raced into a 4-0 lead with two early breaks in the opening set. He had to bide his time in the second set as the only break came in game seven while breaks in games three and seven set up the third set, although Khachanov did get a solitary break in game six.

“It has been a great match from my side. I played really well from the beginning until the end of the match,” Alcaraz said. “I knew I had to be really focused from the beginning.

“I expected the level that I played. I started really well and I kept the level for the whole match. I am very happy with it.”

He will take on Zverev for a place in the semi-final after the third seed defeated qualifier Bernabe Zapata Miralles 7-6 (13-11), 7-5, 6-3.

“Sasha (Zverev) is playing a great game. He is real aggressive and it will be a tough match,” Alcaraz said. “Best of five against him will be tough. He has beaten great players in Grand Slams.”

“I like to play tough, close matches so it is going to be a good match.”

The winner of the Zverev-Alcaraz clash will face a mouth-watering match-up against either defending champion Novak Djokovic or 13-time winner Rafael Nadal in the semi-final.

Alexander Zverev Carlos Alcaraz Karen Khachanov

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