Alcaraz Prepares for Drop Shot Duel Against Marozsan at Roland Garros

PARIS, France — Carlos Alcaraz is set to defend his Roland Garros title against Fabian Marozsan on Wednesday. The match at Court Philippe-Chatrier marks the first time the two players will meet since their tie stands at 1-1 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

Alcaraz, ranked No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings, dominated his first-round match, showcasing 15 drop shots to secure a straight-sets victory. His opponent, Marozsan, also performed well with 13 drop shots in a win over Luca Nardi. This second-round matchup promises to be a captivating contest centered around their shared affinity for the drop shot.

“Of course I study my opponents a bit, and I know he really likes drop shots,” Alcaraz said. He expressed the need to prepare for Marozsan’s aggressive style, citing their previous encounters which have included a shocking defeat for him in Rome in 2023. “I have to stay alert and we’ll see who does them better,” Alcaraz added.

Marozsan, currently ranked No. 56 in the world, recalled his unexpected success against Alcaraz last year. “My goal in that tournament was just to win one match in qualifying, and I ended up reaching the last sixteen,” he said. “I managed to beat Carlos, which was incredible.”

The two players’ contrasting styles will be on full display as they both rely on the drop shot as a significant weapon. Alcaraz reflected on the difficulty of executing this shot perfectly, admitting that it often comes down to feeling rather than strategy. “It’s not an easy shot. There’s a risk you won’t make the right contact… I try to see when my opponent is furthest from the baseline,” he explained.

The match is part of an exciting day of tennis at Roland Garros, with many top players in action, including world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek. Alcaraz will aim to outmaneuver Marozsan and emerge victorious to advance to the next round and continue his title defense.