Carlos Alcaraz: Alex Corretja, Tim Henman in awe of ‘unreal, outstanding’ win from Spaniard in quarter-final - 'You can't play better tennis'
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Published 04/06/2025 at 11:06 GMT+1
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Carlos Alcaraz bulldozed past Tommy Paul to reach the French Open semi-finals on Tuesday, dropping just five games in an outstanding display. Alex Corretja told TNT Sports that "you can't play better tennis than he did versus Paul," while adding that Alcaraz "is ready" to claim his fifth major title. Tim Henman praised a "relentless" performance from the Spaniard.
Highlights: Alcaraz breezes past Paul to make Roland-Garros semi-finals
Video credit: TNT Sports
Alex Corretja said "you can’t play better tennis" than Carlos Alcaraz did against Tommy Paul in the French Open quarter-finals after an "unreal" performance from the Spaniard.
The world No. 3 let loose in devastating fashion against the American, blasting into the last four in just 96 minutes with a 6-0 6-1 6-4 victory.
Alcaraz’s victory was so emphatic that he was left apologising to the Roland-Garros fans for sending them home early as he set up a semi-final tie with Lorenzo Musetti.
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Speaking to Courtside on TNT Sports the morning after, two-time French Open finalist Corretja was in awe of his compatriot.
"What Carlitos brought onto the court, it was unreal. I don’t think you can play better tennis than he did versus Paul," Corretja said.
"The way he was moving, the way he was ripping the ball with his forehand, his backhand, he was enjoying it.
"I had the chance to talk to him afterwards, and I said that a couple of days ago, you told me you weren’t happy about your performance because you were upset with yourself.
"I said to him: ‘Tonight, I will be upset if you’re not happy with your performance!’"
The second semi-final will be set on Wednesday when world No. 1 Jannik Sinner faces Alexander Bublik before Novak Djokovic locks horns with Alexander Zverev - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
- Alcaraz apologises for sending fans home early after ruthless win
- Tiafoe fumes at ‘comical’ Musetti incident, Italian admits feeling ‘scared’
It is a stacked field, but Corretja was confident of Alcaraz’s chances when asked if the four-time major champion is the clear favourite in Paris.
"I think Jannik Sinner is coming up as expected. But Carlos has shown again that he is ready," Corretja said.
"The last couple of matches he showed a couple of doubts with himself, but from now on I think his level is only rising."
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'It's genius!' - Alcaraz turns on the style with amazing drop shot against Paul
Video credit: TNT Sports
Tim Henman was also impressed by the Spaniard’s form after a performance where Alcaraz soothed the only doubts he had.
"If he’s not happy after last night, he’ll never be happy. It was incredible. Not only the power, the precision, but it was relentless," Henman said.
"The one question mark I’ve had with Alcaraz is shot selection, the concentration, where there are these dips, and he drops a set and gets into trouble.
"But against Tommy Paul, he was absolutely outstanding. He laid down a marker to the rest of the players in the men’s draw."
Stream the 2025 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+
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