Bernabe Zapata Miralles did not think he would be in Paris on Saturday, but his best performance in a Grand Slam at Roland Garros has scuppered any plans the 25-year-old Valencian may have made before the event kicked off.

Soon after the qualifier beat John Isner on Friday to book himself a place in the last sixteen in the French capital, Zapata Miralles started a special campaign when he sat before the media at his post-match press conference — he asked for help sourcing a ticket for Saturday evening’s Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France.

“This is a public announcement. If anyone has a ticket…I’d like to go!” the Spaniard joked. “Tomorrow [Saturday] I’ll watch the match…if I can do so in the stadium, it would be better. I’m from Valencia but I support [Real] Madrid. I want Madrid to win the Champions League final against Liverpool!”

By beating Isner, Zapata Miralles moved into the Top 100 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, as well as earning himself the opportunity to go even further at the clay-court Grand Slam. On Sunday, the Spaniard will face Alexander Zverev for a place in the quarter-finals at the second major of the year.

“I’m trying not to think too much about being in the last 16,” Zapata Miralles acknowledged. “I’m still exhausted and in shock. I’ve tried to focus on the match and forget about the result and the round. It’ll start to sink in when I return home, honestly.

“I’m very excited. It’s a tournament that I love, and I didn’t expect to reach the round of 16. It’s a dream. I’m just thinking about improving and continuing to work hard. I have mental lows, the matches are long for me. It’s more exciting playing in these rounds, but I find it much harder to make the effort to play these matches.

“I’m going to try and keep up this level of work every week, if possible.”

Zapata Miralles is now reaping the rewards of hours of hard work behind the scenes, while he tries to find the best way to prepare to face Zverev.

“Now it’s time to rest and get ready for Sunday,” said the Valencian. “I don’t know if I’ve reached my limit or not, but I’m not too concerned. I just want to work well. If I’ve given my all on court, I can go home with peace of mind. I’ll find it hard to manage the nerves, but I’ll try and forget about them.”

To do so, Zapata Miralles may follow the lead of one of his idols, all of whom have helped him progress in one way or another. “On a mental level, [Rafael] Nadal is the best in history,” said Zapata Miralles. “I followed David Ferrer from when I was young, as he’s Valencian, and now I often watch Pablo Andujar.”

Revenge is a dish best served cold. Carlos Alcaraz did just that against Sebastian Korda on a chilly Friday night at Roland Garros.

The sixth-seeded Spaniard fell to Korda last month in Monte Carlo, his only clay-court loss this year, but it was Alcaraz’s night in Paris as he completed a convincing 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 win to reach the fourth round. In what was also a rematch of last year’s championship match at the Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals, Alcaraz hammered 24 winners and broke Korda four times to advance in two hours and six minutes.

“It’s amazing to play in such a great atmosphere. I think the people enjoyed the match and I’m glad to play in front of such a good crowd,” said Alcaraz in his on-court interview. “In the early matches, I’m trying to have fun out there. I love playing tennis and playing on these courts, so I’m enjoying every second.”

Drop it like it’s hot 🔥@alcarazcarlos03 | #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/rJxYZO7gSM

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2022

It was a significantly shorter night than his second-round match on Wednesday with Albert Ramos-Vinolas. The 19-year-old saved a match point in the fourth set against his fellow Spaniard before forcing a deciding set and ultimately prevailing after four hours and 34 minutes.

A lengthy recovery process immediately following the match paid dividends against Korda. Showing no signs of his brutal battle two days earlier, Alcaraz scampered about the court and leaned into his powerful groundstrokes with full force.

“I would say that I’m aggressive all the time,” said Alcaraz. “It doesn’t matter if I’m losing, winning, tough moment, tough match, I keep my style the whole match.”

Alcaraz secured the first break of the night just nine minutes into play, ripping a forehand winner for a 2-1 lead. While the American was pushed to the brink in most of his service games, Alcaraz continued holding comfortably and served out the set on his first attempt.

Korda had two chances to break Alcaraz at 2-1 in the second set, but succumbed to his opponent’s aggressive play on both. One game later, the sixth seed yelled in delight after hitting a forehand winner to break Korda. Showing that he’s still adding new tools to his game, Alcaraz served-and-volleyed three times while serving for the set at 5-4 and went on to take a commanding lead.

The Spaniard turned up the heat in the final stages of the match, reeling off five consecutive games and five straight baseline winners to wrap up play. Alcaraz didn’t face a break point throughout the night.

Awaiting Alcaraz in the next round is No. 21 seed Karen Khachanov, who took out No. 10 seed Cameron Norrie 6-2, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4. Khachanov let slip a 4-2 lead in the third set, but regrouped strongly to advance in three hours and 37 minutes.

Although the 26-year-old arrived to Paris with a 4-5 record on clay this season, his most consistent Grand Slam success has come at this event. Khachanov reached the quarter-finals in 2019 and the fourth round on three other occasions.

“I just practised with him once, but I’ve watch other matches from him, so I know that it’s going to be a tough match,” said Alcaraz. “But at the same time, he’s a tough opponent and I like those matches.”

Roland Garros men’s singles third-round play continues on Saturday in Paris, with the bottom half of the draw in action to fill the eight remaining Round of 16 spots. Four of the tournament’s Top 12 seeds are in action, including Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud.

All of the Top 12 seeds have reached the last 32 in Paris, the first time that’s happened at a Grand Slam since 2011 Wimbledon.

In doubles action, second seeds Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic highlight third-round doubles play along with sixth seeds Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski

View Singles Draw | View Doubles Draw | View Schedule

[2] Daniil Medvedev vs. [28] Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB)

For a man who isn’t shy to admit that clay isn’t his favourite surface, Medvedev has excelled on it so far this fortnight.

The second seed cruised through his first two rounds without dropping a set. After opening his clay-court season last week in Geneva with a disappointing opening-round exit to Richard Gasquet, Medvedev considerably sharpened his baseline game in Paris. He found the lines on a regular basis in his first two matches and showed a willingness to finish points at the net.

”Not gonna lie, I prefer hard courts. I think I can play better there. But when I’m on clay courts, I want to win,” said Medvedev. “I’m not going to say I love it, but I’m trying to figure out how to do good results on clay.”

Medvedev is still in contention to regain the top spot in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings from Novak Djokovic. He can return to No. 1 on 13 June with a runner-up finish in Paris, even if Djokovic lifts the trophy.

But Kecmanovic will likely pose his toughest test of the tournament so far. The 22-year-old Serbian is one of the most improved players this season. After picking up just 14 tour-level wins last year, he’s jumped from No. 78 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings in January to a career-high standing of No. 31. 

Kecmanovic has reached six tour-level quarter-finals in 2022, doubling his total from last year, including back-to-back ATP Masters 1000 quarter-finals in Indian Wells and Miami. He’s also scored Top 10 wins this year over Felix Auger-Aliassime and Matteo Berrettini.

“I have been playing a lot better in general. Everything that I was struggling with before is all coming together and all paying off,” said Kecmanovic. “I am playing with a lot more confidence because I am winning a lot more, so that makes a huge difference.”

[4] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) vs. Mikael Ymer (SWE)

Tsitsipas hasn’t lacked for on-court time in Paris. He started his campaign by rallying from two sets down to defeat Lorenzo Musetti, then required more than four hours to oust qualifier Zdenek Kolar. The Greek has spent nearly eight hours on court across his first two rounds.

“I have to really work to get things in life. Things don’t come easy. I refuse to give up. That’s simply how it works with me,” said Tsitsipas. “You just play it point after point. You just wish that your efforts will pay off on a longer scale, longer run.”

That winning feeling! 👏@steftsitsipas | @rolandgarros | #RolandGarros

pic.twitter.com/BA2PSs0ppp

— ATP Tour (@atptour) May 26, 2022

Last year’s runner-up in Paris seeks to go one step further this fortnight for his maiden Grand Slam title. Tsitsipas produced outstanding results in all three clay-court ATP Masters 1000 events this year by successfully defending his title in Monte-Carlo (d. Davidovich Fokina), finishing runner-up in Rome (l. to Djokovic) and reaching the semi-finals in Madrid. He also remains the match wins leader on Tour this season (33).

Tsitsipas will be encouraged by his 3-0 ATP Head2Head series record with Ymer, including a convincing straight-sets win this year at the Australian Open. The 23-year-old Ymer, No. 95 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, arrived to this event without a win in nearly four months, but produced impressive wins over James Duckworth and No. 29 seed Daniel Evans for a career-best result in Paris.

[12] Hubert Hurkacz (POL) vs. David Goffin (BEL)

Hurkacz and Goffin are close friends who regularly train together in Monaco, but they’ll put aside their friendship when they face off on Saturday. Their maiden ATP Head2Head clash earlier this month in Rome was a highly entertaining affair that saw Goffin prevail in a pair of tie-breaks.

”Hurkacz is one of the nicest players on Tour,” said Goffin. “We had a wonderful match in Rome. He’s really talented. He’s moving well for a big guy. He can slide on the clay, serving bombs, has a really huge kick [serve] and forehand after that.”

The 31-year-old Goffin is continuing a career resurgence with his best result at this event since 2019. After shutting down an injury-filled 2021 season after the US Open, the Belgian has come alive on clay. Goffin is 12-4 on clay courts this season, including a title in Marrakech (d. Molcan) and third-round showings in Monte-Carlo and Madrid.

🇧🇪 ALLEZ 🇧🇪@David__Goffin takes down No. 24 Frances Tiafoe 3-6, 7-6(1), 6-2, 6-4 to reach the third round in Paris for the first time since 2019#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/OYIXGA5RHg

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 26, 2022

Meanwhile, Hurkacz is enjoying his own breakthrough on clay. The Pole lost in the opening round of his previous three appearances in Paris, but has yet to drop a set or face a break point this fortnight.

The Pole has won more Tour-level matches on clay in the past month (eight) than all of his other seasons on Tour combined (six). He reached back-to-back ATP Masters 1000 quarter-finals on clay this year in Monte-Carlo and Madrid.

Best Of The Rest

Seventh seed Andrey Rublev looks to maintain his unblemished (2-0) ATP Head2Head record against the always dangerous Cristian Garin. Rublev has won three tour-level titles this year in Marseille, Dubai and Belgrade, putting him level with Rafael Nadal and one behind Carlos Alcaraz for the season’s high mark.

Eighth seed Casper Ruud looks to reach the second week in Paris for the first time as he faces No. 32 seed Lorenzo Sonego. Ruud leads their ATP Head2Head series 3-0, but fell at the third round in Paris in his past three appearances.

Most Clay Wins (2020-22)

Jannik Sinner, the No. 11 seed, meets Mackenzie McDonald in a rematch of their final last year in Washington. Frenchman Gilles Simon, who picked up his 500th career win on Thursday, looks for more magic in his final Roland Garros when he faces No. 20 seed Marin Cilic. Play on Court Philippe Chatrier will conclude with a battle of #NextGenATP stars as Munich champion Holger Rune takes on home favourite Hugo Gaston.

In doubles action, Mektic/Pavic take on Rohan Bopanna and Matwe Middelkoop for a quarter-final spot. Mektic/Pavic are on an 11-match winning streak after winning titles in Rome (d. Isner/Schwartzman) and Geneva (d. Andujar/Middelkoop). Koolhof/Skupski, who captured their maiden Masters 1000 title this month in Madrid (d, Cabal/Farah), take on McDonald and Tommy Paul.

Alexander Zverev is making the most of his second life at Roland Garros. After saving a match point and coming back from two sets down to beat Sebastian Baez in the second round, he moved past #NextGenATP American Brandon Nakashima in straight sets on Friday.

The German earned a hard-fought 7-6(2), 6-3, 7-6(5) victory on Court Suzanne Lenglen to advance to the fourth round for the fifth straight year in Paris. He reached the semi-finals last year and the quarters in 2018 and 2019.

“I think I raised my level today,” Zverev said in an on-court interview. “I prefer this [compared to the second-round thriller]. This is much better for me. I don’t lose too much hair, I can still grow old,” he joked. The third seed went on to praise the crowd, which contributed to the match with a Mexican wave.

The roar of victory 🦁@AlexZverev defeats Brandon Nakashima 7-6(2), 6-3, 7-6(5) to advance to the fourth round for the fifth consecutive year.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/fHFiaLIQqW

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2022

A tight contest included just three breaks of serve, including a trade of breaks midway through the third. Zverev saved a pair of break points in each of the first two sets but dropped serve for the only time after edging ahead in the final set.

A night of strong serving ended in a tie-break dominated by the returner, as seven of the 12 points went against serve. From 2/4 down in the tie-break, Zverev locked down from the baseline to edge past the American, closing the match in style with a backhand winner — one of his 50 winners in the two-hour, 48-minute contest.

Nakashima, who earned his first tour-level clay win last month in Barcelona, drops to 0-7 against the Top 20. His defeat leaves three #NextGenATP stars standing in Paris: Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune.

Zverev, who could meet Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, advances to face Bernabe Zapata Miralles on Sunday. It will be the first ATP Head2Head meeting for the pair.

Spanish qualifier Zapata Miralles continued his dream run by moving past American John Isner 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3 in a third-round thriller. The World No. 131 recovered from squandering a 5/2 lead and four match points in the fourth set to eventually advance after three hours and 31 minutes. He is the first Spanish qualifier to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam since recording started in 1983.

The 25-year-old, who upset Americans Michael Mmoh and Taylor Fritz earlier this week, is making his second appearance in Paris. The three-time ATP Challenger Tour champion lost to countryman Carlos Alcaraz in the first round last year.

Will this weekend pose any awkward family dinners in Paris for Rafael Nadal?

By defeating Botic van de Zandschulp on Friday at Roland Garros, Nadal locked in a fourth-round showdown with Felix Auger-Aliassime. The Canadian is coached by Nadal’s uncle, Toni Nadal, in addition to Frederic Fontang. “Uncle Toni” coached his nephew Nadal from childhood and was a part of his team until stepping away in 2017.

This raised the inevitable questions of whether Toni will sit in Auger-Aliassime’s box during the match and how much tactical advice he’ll give the Canadian to aid in defeating his nephew. But for the 13-time Roland Garros champion, he sees a situation that some might construe to be personal as strictly business and said it won’t impact anything.

“I already talked with Toni after my match,” said Nadal. “For me, it’s very simple. He’s my uncle. I don’t think he will be able to want me to lose, without a doubt, but he’s a professional and he’s with another player. I don’t know what’s going to happen, if he’s going to stay in the box or not, but I don’t care. I have zero problem with that. It’s not a story at all for me.

“I know the feelings that we have between each other. I know he wants the best for me. Now he’s helping another player. But honestly, for me, it’s zero problem, and I know he wants the best for me.”

Hey @RafaelNadal, what’s your secrets to achieving 301 Grand Slams wins and counting? 🤔#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/ehs3SFMaMN

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2022

Toni began working with Auger-Aliassime last year in Monte Carlo and the Canadian has gone on to reach new heights in his career. The 21-year-old sits at a career-high Pepperstone ATP Ranking of No. 9 after results including his maiden ATP Tour title this February in Rotterdam (d. Zverev) and a semi-final finish last year at the US Open.

”He’s one of the players in better shape on Tour, without a doubt. He’s a Top 10 player,” said Nadal. It’s a Round of 16 [match]. I know I have to play at a very high level to have chances to keep going. It’s going to be a good test. In some ways, that’s what I need.”

Nadal has yet to be sternly tested this fortnight, cruising into the second week without dropping a set. He raised his level considerably against Van de Zandschulp, cracking 25 winners to 13 errors and breaking the Dutchman six times. It’s a level he seeks to maintain as he could only face Top 10 players if he continues advancing through the draw, including a possible quarter-final showdown with top seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic.

”I was able to play my best match of the tournament so far, without any doubt,” said Nadal. “That’s very good news for me going on court tomorrow [for] my practice session, knowing that today I was able to raise my level a lot. Tomorrow is the moment to confirm that in practice and keep working on specific things.”