French Open: Carlos Alcaraz downs Taro Daniel in round two to continue Roland-Garros quest in style

Carlos Alcaraz progressed into the third round of the French Open following a 6-1 3-6 6-1 6-2 win over Taro Daniel.

Alcaraz will play Denis Shapovalov in the third round after the Canadian beat Matteo Arnaldi 6-2 3-6 6-3 6-3.

“Taro played great, he’s a tough player. He’s won great matches against great players and it was difficult,” Alcaraz said after the match.

“It was difficult conditions with the wind. You then have to adjust your game as best you can, focussing on every shot. He played a great level and I’m really happy with my level, [particularly] with the wind.

“For me, I don’t mind [either showcourt]. I see that Chatrier is bigger than Lenglen, and of course, the stand is bigger, but more than that, I don’t feel the difference [like the others]. For me, both courts play the same.

“It’s amazing to play here. I really wanted to play here in Paris.

“I felt the support the first day, today as well. I missed playing here and I’m really happy to play here in front of all [the French crowd]. It’s amazing for me.”

It looked like it would be a straightforward afternoon for Alcaraz when he raced to a first-set lead in just 32 minutes, hitting winners aplenty and winning 87% of points off his first serve.

But errors crept into Alcaraz’s game in the windy conditions at the beginning of the second set, and Daniel quickly went 3-0 up.

The Japanese maintained his intensity to maintain his break advantage, with Alcaraz hitting only three winners and producing 12 unforced errors in the set. Daniel wrapped it up in 40 minutes to level the scores.

Clearly irked by the previous set, Alcaraz looked more his usual self off his forehand in the third and he emphatically reeled off five games in a row. Daniel avoided a bagel, but Alcaraz converted his third set point to move back in front.

Alcaraz and Daniel broke each other’s serves in the opening two games of the fourth but Alcaraz went a break up to lead 3-2.

The frustration was setting in for Daniel as Alcaraz played more aggressively off his forehand, and the Spaniard reeled off five games in a row to book his place in the next round.

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