The clay courts of Roland Garros are set for a high-stakes quarterfinal clash as defending champion Carlos Alcaraz faces off against rising American star Tommy Paul. This matchup promises fireworks, with both players showcasing excellent form in Paris. While Alcaraz enters the contest as the favorite, Paul’s gritty performances this fortnight make him a dangerous opponent.
Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 2, has been playing with the confidence and consistency of a true Grand Slam champion. The 21-year-old Spaniard has dropped just three sets en route to the last eight, dispatching Giulio Zeppieri, Fabio Marozsan, Damir Dzumhur, and Ben Shelton with relative ease. His fluid movement, explosive forehand, and aggressive returning have been on full display, reinforcing why many view him as the man to beat on clay.
A four-time Grand Slam champion, Alcaraz has already racked up an impressive 10 career titles on clay. His 2025 season has been particularly strong, highlighted by titles in Rotterdam, Monte Carlo, and Rome. In addition to his tournament victories, he has made deep runs in Melbourne (quarterfinals), Doha (quarterfinals), Indian Wells (semifinals), and Barcelona (final), though an adductor injury sustained in that Barcelona final sidelined him for Madrid. Despite this setback, Alcaraz has bounced back with renewed energy in Paris.
Statistically, Alcaraz has been dominant this season. Prior to Roland Garros, he had blasted 133 aces, won 71% of points on his first serve, and demonstrated elite defense by generating 323 break point opportunities—converting a strong 45%. His only early stumble came in Miami, where he was upset by David Goffin in three sets.
On the other side of the net, Tommy Paul has carved out a career-best performance at the French Open. The 12th seed is into his first Roland Garros quarterfinal after a gutsy run that featured two grueling five-set wins against Marton Fucsovics and Karen Khachanov. He also recorded an impressive straight-sets victory over Alexei Popyrin. Paul’s mix of athleticism, consistency, and improved clay-court movement has been key to his breakthrough.
While Alcaraz is the clear favorite based on ranking and résumé, Paul has shown that he thrives in tough situations. If he can maintain his composure and dictate play early, this could turn into a far more competitive match than expected.
As both players gear up for today’s encounter, all eyes will be on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Will Alcaraz continue his dominant run toward a second straight title, or can Tommy Paul pull off a career-defining upset on Parisian clay?
Stay tuned—it’s bound to be a thriller.