Roland-Garros A Shapovalov-Alcaraz duel in the third round

(Paris) Canadian Denis Shapovalov spent about 50 minutes less on the court on Wednesday than in his previous match at the French Open. This saved energy could be beneficial to him during his next appearance on the clay court at Roland-Garros.

Two days after needing five sets to eliminate American Brandon Nakashima, Shapovalov was a little more expeditious against Italian Matteo Arnaldi, whom he beat in four sets 6-2, 3-6, 6 -3, 6-3, in 2 hours 55 minutes.

In the next round, Shapovalov will deliver his first career match against tournament favorite Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, who also needed four sets to win his second-round encounter with Japan’s Taro Daniel on Wednesday.

Failing to have been sparkling, Shapovalov, 32^e world player, was consistent from the first to the fourth set when it can happen to him, during a match, to experience spectacular ups and disconcerting downs.

Against Arnaldi, 106^e in the world, Shapovalov finished with a slight deficit in aces and double faults — two against five — and his first-serve success percentage was just 56%.

However, he won 80% of the points after placing his first ball in play and he finished with as many winners, 38, as unforced errors.

Elsewhere, in a women’s doubles match, Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski and her partner Luisa Stefani of Brazil easily won their first-round match, 6-2, 6-2 over the tandem of Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto and by German Tatjana Maria.

Later Wednesday, Laval’s Leylah Fernandez will play her second-round match against Denmark’s Clara Tauson.