Carlos Alcaraz vs Tommy Paul live: Scores and updates from French Open quarter-final
Alcaraz destroyed Paul 6-0 6-1 6-4 to set up a semi-final with Lorenzo Musetti
Carlos Alcaraz returned to the French Open semi-finals with a straight-sets win over Tommy Paul in the night session at Roland Garros.
Defending champion Alcaraz produced his finest performance of the tournament so far and required just 94 minutes to defeat Paul, the 12th seed, 6-0 6-1 6-4. The Spaniard will play Lorenzo Musetti in the quarter-finals after a dominant win over Paul, who came into the match with an abdominal injury.
Musetti, the eighth seed, defeated Frances Tiafoe in four sets earlier on Wednesday. The Italian eighth seed escaped disqualification after kicking a ball at a line judge, but continued his strong clay-court season by reaching the French Open semi-finals for the first time.
In the women’s, defending champion Iga Swiatek battled past Elina Svitolina to set up a mouthwatering clash with top seed and World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Swiatek has now won 26 consecutive matches at the French Open while Sabalenka defeated Qinwen Zheng and is still yet to drop a set all tournament.
Follow live scores and updates from the French Open quarter-finals, below
Carlos Alcaraz 6-0 4-1 Tommy Paul*
Jannik Sinner has enjoyed a couple of hugely dominant wins in reaching the quarter-finals on the other side of the draw, dropping just four games against Jiri Lehecka and eight against Andrey Rublev last night.
Feels as if Alcaraz is targeting something similar as he opens up a 4-1 lead in the second.
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-0 3-1 Tommy Paul
Break! Alcaraz strikes first in the second set after Paul fires wide on the forehand. Alcaraz is bringing it to Paul on every rally, keeping it intense. The American is struggling for answers during the longer exchanges.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-0 2-1 Tommy Paul*
Alcaraz pumps his fist after landing a forehand winner down the line, returning with his own love-hold.
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-0 1-1 Tommy Paul
Relief for Tommy Paul, and a smile on the American’s face, as he gets on the board at the start of the second set.
He holds to love and gets a big roar from the Philippe-Chatrier crowd.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-0 1-0 Tommy Paul*
Alcaraz avoids an opening blip on serve after holding his serve from 15-30 down. The Spaniard has dropped a set in each of his last four matches, all from a set up.
Does he want to put on a complete performance tonight?
FIRST SET! *Carlos Alcaraz 6-0 Tommy Paul
Tommy Paul has game point to get on the board but Alcaraz runs around the forehand to save and then brings up set point with a brilliant drop shot.
Paul saves with an ace - but Alcaraz goes to the drop shot to bring up another set point. Alcaraz runs around the forehand again and it’s goodnight Paul.
The power ramps up, Paul nets on the forehand and the Spaniard takes the set without dropping a game.
No wonder he’s laughing.
Carlos Alcaraz 5-0 Tommy Paul*
Alcaraz races to another hold and jogs back to his chair after landing another big serve.
Paul has been struggling with a stomach injury at the French Open and the sight of a charging Alcaraz is the last thing he would have wanted to deal with on Philippe-Chatrier.
*Carlos Alcaraz 4-0 Tommy Paul
BREAK! Alcaraz jumps on the Paul second serve with the scorching backhand return down the line and then follows it in to put away the forehand volley.
On break point, Alcaraz repeats the trick - a big backhand return down the line and Paul pushes long on the forehand.
Carlos Alcaraz 3-0 Tommy Paul*
15 minutes played but Alcaraz has come through two quick service games. The defending champion has been sharp through the first three games and consolidates the break of serve.
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