Alcaraz survives Marozsan scare to keep French Open defence on track

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Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 28, 2025 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates during his second round match against Hungary's Fabian Marozsan REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

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Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 28, 2025 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz shakes hands with Hungary's Fabian Marozsan after winning his second round match REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

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Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 28, 2025 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in action during his second round match against Hungary's Fabian Marozsan REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

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Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 28, 2025 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in action during his second round match against Hungary's Fabian Marozsan REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

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UPDATED May 29, 2025, 12:54 AM

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PARIS - Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz debuted a fresh haircut but nearly had a close shave at the French Open as the Spaniard beat unseeded Hungarian Fabian Marozsan 6-1 4-6 6-1 6-2 to reach the third round on Wednesday.

Having flown his barber in to Paris after deciding to ditch his scruffy first-round look, Alcaraz appeared on Court Philippe-Chatrier with a dramatic fade but all the talk was about his tennis when play began as he powered through the first set.

The Spaniard, who crashed to Marozsan on the claycourts of Rome two years ago, had moments of vulnerability thereafter but ensured there would be no unwanted encore ending his bid for a fifth Grand Slam title.

"It was a great match. I started playing well. In the first set, I had really high confidence. In the second set, he started to play much better and he was really aggressive," Alcaraz said.

"He didn't miss at all so it was a little difficult to deal with his game in the second set but I'm really happy I stayed strong and refreshed myself.

"In the third set, I started to play better and better which helped me have a really good last two sets... I just want to show good tennis. I want to make sure people are happy watching my match as well. That's the way I enjoy playing tennis."

Playing beneath the centre court roof on a soggy Parisian afternoon, the 22-year-old Alcaraz rained blows upon his 56th-ranked opponent to go ahead 4-0 and easily secured the opening set despite stepping off the gas.

Marozsan dug deeper into his bag of tricks and found some exquisite drop shots that nearly earned him a double break in the second set before the 25-year-old confirmed the shift in momentum by levelling the contest.

Alcaraz cranked up the intensity of his muscular ballet on the red dirt and took control of the match by winning the third set but his electric tennis became erratic again in the fourth as he traded breaks with Marozsan.

He got his nose in front again, however, and strangled the hopes of Marozsan with a sliding volley around the net en route to a 5-2 lead before prevailing.

"I didn't feel like I lost the focus at all. He just played much better," Alcaraz told reporters.

"I maintained my level during the whole match but in the second set he reached a much better level than I did.

"In general, if I lose focus in Grand Slams, in matches that are best-of-five, it's much better... you have more time, more sets just to be back."

Up next for Alcaraz is a clash with Bosnian Damir Dzumhur, who shrugged off a nasty fall to outlast big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6(4) 6-3 4-6 6-4. REUTERS

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