### Alcaraz's Resilient Performance: A Rollercoaster Ride to the Fourth Round of the French Open Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion and world number two, faced a challenging match against Damir Dzumhur in the third round of the 2025 French Open. Despite dominating the first two sets, Alcaraz experienced a mid-match slump, allowing Dzumhur to take the third set. However, he rallied back to secure a four-set victory with scores of 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, thus advancing to the fourth round where he will meet Ben Shelton [https://www.rediff.com/sports/report/pix-alcaraz-stumbles-into-french-open-fourth-round-dzumhur/20250531.htm][https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/alcaraz-stumbles-ousts-dzumhur-reach-french-open-fourth-round-5160956]. ### Breakdown of Alcaraz's Match Performance 1. **Match Overview**: - Alcaraz started strong, winning the first two sets decisively. - A sudden dip in performance allowed Dzumhur to claim the third set. - Alcaraz regained focus in the fourth set, overcoming a 3-1 deficit to clinch the match. 2. **Key Statistics**: - Match duration: Over three hours. - Set scores: 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. - Alcaraz's resilience was highlighted by his ability to recover from a mid-match setback [https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/defending-champion-alcaraz-labors-into-fourth-round-of-french-open-1882446][https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3441966-tennis-stars-shine-amidst-challenges-at-roland-garros]. 3. **Next Steps**: - Alcaraz will face No. 13 seed Ben Shelton in the fourth round. - The match is anticipated to be a test of Alcaraz's endurance and skill as he aims to defend his title [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3441950-french-open-heats-up-with-fierce-battles-on-day-6][https://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/french-open-2025-carlos-alcaraz-fights-into-last-16-as-iga-swiatek-aryna-sabalenka-progress/articleshow/121528758.cms]. ### Supporting Evidence of Alcaraz's Match Dynamics - **Set Performance**: - **First Set**: Alcaraz dominated with a score of 6-1. - **Second Set**: Continued his strong performance, winning 6-3. - **Third Set**: Experienced a lapse, allowing Dzumhur to win 4-6. - **Fourth Set**: Showed resilience, coming back from 3-1 down to win 6-4. - **Match Duration**: The match lasted over three hours, showcasing the physical and mental demands placed on both players [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3441966-tennis-stars-shine-amidst-challenges-at-roland-garros][https://www.apnews.com/article/french-open-alcaraz-fff6c79e03b0084eeeacba7ec6689046]. ### Conclusion: Alcaraz's Path Forward In summary, **Carlos Alcaraz's journey through the third round of the French Open was marked by both brilliance and struggle**. His ability to recover from a mid-match slump demonstrates his mental fortitude and skill as a top competitor. 1. **Initial Dominance**: Alcaraz's strong start set the tone for the match. 2. **Mid-Match Struggles**: A lapse in focus allowed Dzumhur to capitalize and win a set. 3. **Resilient Comeback**: Alcaraz's determination led to a crucial victory, setting up a challenging fourth-round match against Ben Shelton. As he continues his quest to defend his title, Alcaraz's performance will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3441966-tennis-stars-shine-amidst-challenges-at-roland-garros][https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/alcaraz-stumbles-ousts-dzumhur-reach-french-open-fourth-round-5160956].