Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion, has advanced to the semifinals of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, edging out American Tommy Paul in a thrilling quarterfinal match.
The No. 2 seed Alcaraz, who won his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in June, faced a stern challenge from Paul, seeded ninth, but ultimately prevailed 6-3, 7-6 (7) in just under two hours on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
The match was a rematch of their Wimbledon quarterfinal earlier this month, which Alcaraz also won in four sets. However, Paul pushed the Spaniard to the limit in Paris, opening up a 5-2 lead in the second set before Alcaraz rallied to force a tiebreaker.
In the tiebreaker, Alcaraz took an early lead and never looked back, winning 7-3 to seal his place in the semifinals.
“It was a tough match,” said Alcaraz. “Tommy played really well, especially in the second set. But I’m happy to have come through and reach the semifinals.”
Alcaraz will now face either No. 6 seed Casper Ruud or No. 13 seed Félix Auger-Aliassime in the semifinals. Ruud and Auger-Aliassime are scheduled to play their quarterfinal match later on Thursday.
If Alcaraz wins his semifinal match, he will advance to the gold medal match, where he will have a chance to become the first Spanish man to win an Olympic gold medal in tennis since Rafael Nadal in 2008.
