Alcaraz saves set point against Griekspoor, reaches R3 at Paris Olympics

Carlos Alcaraz maintained his red-hot form on Monday when he defeated Tallon Griekspoor 6-1, 7-6(3) to reach the third round of the Paris Olympics.

The Spaniard, who has captured major titles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year, has now won 17 of his past 18 matches and is 35-6 this season. He will next play Roman Safiullin for a place in the quarter-finals. On Tuesday, he will partner Rafael Nadal in the second round of doubles.

“I’m not used to playing doubles. I'm used to focusing just on singles, but it's a really special moment for me playing doubles as well,” Alcaraz said. “I love playing doubles. So the preparations could be tricky a little bit with the singles, with the practice, doubles. But I'm trying to play my best on both sides.”

Alcaraz was in imperious form in the first set. Every shot he hit and tactic he employed seemingly worked to perfection. But it was not all easy for the 21-year-old, who needed to save a set point on serve at 4-5 in the second set.

Griekspoor, the No. 28 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, found his rhythm in the second set and put plenty of pressure on the second seed. Before Alcaraz stepped to the line to serve at 4-5, he left the court with physiotherapist Per Bastholt for a medical timeout, which he later revealed was related to his adductor.

In that game, Alcaraz was a point away from needing to battle into a decider. But he played decisively, moving forward and hitting a great drop volley that set up an easy forehand-volley cutaway.

"It's kind of normal this pain. I felt it before, I've been dealing with this problem before... in my adductor,” Alcaraz said. “I know how to deal with this pain. I think it's not going to be serious so I'm going to be ready for for the doubles tomorrow.”

Alcaraz did not show any clear limitations and was able to close out the match in straight sets and take a 3-0 lead in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with the Dutchman.

The Spaniard converted two of his three break points, while Griekspoor was unable to convert either of his two break points.

Norwegian Casper Ruud, a two-time Roland Garros finalist, was under duress against Italian Andrea Vavassori. But the World No. 9 rallied for a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory.

Ruud will next take on Argentine Francisco Cerundolo, who battled past home favourite and 10th seed Ugo Humbert 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5.

After needing three sets in his first-round match, eighth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece cruised past Briton Daniel Evans 6-1, 6-2. Tsitsipas will play 12th seed Sebastian Baez of Argentina, a 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(3) winner against Lebanon's Benjamin Hassan, in the third round.

[NEWSLETTER FORM]