Paris, May 29 (HS): In the French Open 2025 on Wednesday, top seed and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz defeated Hungary's unseeded player Fabian Marozsan, who posed a dangerous challenge, with a score of 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 to reach the third round. Meanwhile, two-time finalist Casper Ruud faced a crushing defeat, while Italy's Lorenzo Musetti registered a spectacular win.

Spanish star Alcaraz had been shocked by Marozsan two years ago in Rome, but this time in the match held at Court Philippe Chatrier, the 22-year-old top seed exhibited aggressive play from the start. He took a 4-0 lead in the first set and won it 6-1. However, in the second set, Marozsan made a comeback with some excellent drop shots and won the set 6-4.

In the third set, Alcaraz regained his form and took a 6-1 lead. Although his game was a bit shaky for a while in the fourth set, he established a 5-2 lead with brilliant net volleys and ultimately claimed the match. In the third round, Alcaraz will face Giovanni Mapechi Pericard or Damir Dzumhur.

Italy's eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti advanced to the third round by defeating Colombia's lucky loser Daniel Galan with a score of 6-4, 6-0, 6-4. The sporadic rain at Court Simone Mathieu was the only challenge he faced. Musetti will now face Argentina's Mariano Navone or America's Reilly Opelka.

Norway's Casper Ruud, who reached the finals of the French Open in 2022 and 2023, was eliminated in the second round this time. He suffered a major upset at the hands of Portugal's unseeded player Nuno Borges, losing 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-0. This was an extremely disappointing loss for Ruud.

So far, the performances have made the tournament exciting, with young stars advancing and veterans facing surprising results.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar