Ben Shelton leaves two-word message on Carlos Alcaraz’s post after French Open rule break
Ben Shelton showed his admiration for Carlos Alcaraz following their entertaining French Open clash.
Alcaraz booked himself into his fourth consecutive quarter-final at Roland Garros with a 7-6 [10-8] 6-3 4-6 6-4 win over the American.
The Spaniard has advanced after a match that lasted three hours and 19 minutes, with a controversial point taking place in the second set.
Alcaraz met a powerful forehand from Shelton at the net by darting across to his left to pull off a winning volley.
It put him 40-30 ahead in the first game, but he quickly revealed to the umpire that he wasn’t holding the racket when he made contact.
Alcaraz displayed a true act of sportsmanship by conceding the point to Shelton and the crowd responded with a loud applause.
The defending champion still went on to win the match and when he posted on social media after, he paid respect to his opponent.
“Well played,” he said on Instagram whilst tagging Shelton. “It was a fun match! Happy to be in the quarters.”
Shelton commented below the post with a simple assessment of the world no.2, saying: “Too good.”
Alcaraz has won his 100th clay-court match on the ATP Tour from 119 appearances.
His winning percentage of 84 on the surface is third best for men in the Open Era with at least a century of matches played.
Rafael Nadal hit 90.5 per cent with 481 wins from 532 to take first and Bjorn Borg is second on 86.1 per cent after 285 victories from 331.
Furthermore, Alcaraz has won his 75th match against an ATP top 20 opponent and done so on his 109th occasion.
Only Jimmy Connors did the same in less time with 91 matches.
“Honestly, today I fought against myself in the mind,” Alcaraz said. “I just tried to calm myself, in some moments I was mad.
“I was angry with myself, talking not good things. I’m happy that I didn’t let that thought play against me.
“I tried to calm myself and tried to keep going.”
Alcaraz’s quarter-final opponent is Tommy Paul, the first American to reach the French Open last eight since Andre Agassi in 2003.
