Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz debuted a fresh haircut but nearly had a close shave at the French Open as the Spaniard beat unseeded Hungarian Fabian Marozsan 6-1 4-6 6-1 6-2 to reach the third round on Wednesday.
Having flown his barber in to Paris after deciding to ditch his scruffy first-round look, Alcaraz appeared on Court Philippe-Chatrier with a dramatic fade but all the talk was about his tennis when play began as he powered through the first set.
The Spaniard, who crashed to Marozsan on the clay courts of Rome two years ago, had moments of vulnerability thereafter but ensured there would be no unwanted encore ending his bid for a fifth Grand Slam title.
"It was a great match. I started playing well. In the first set, I had really high confidence. In the second set, he started to play much better and he was really aggressive," Alcaraz said.
"He didn't miss at all so it was a little difficult to deal with his game in the second set but I'm really happy I stayed strong and refreshed myself.
"In the third set, I started to play better and better which helped me have a really good last two sets... I just want to show good tennis. I want to make sure people are happy watching my match as well. That's the way I enjoy playing tennis."
Up next for Alcaraz is a clash with Bosnian Damir Dzumhur, who shrugged off a nasty fall to outlast big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6(4) 6-3 4-6 6-4.
On the women's side, four-time champion Iga Swiatek of Poland made light work of British Grand Slam winner Emma Raducanu, notching up a 6-1 6-2 second round victory and stretching her winning run in Paris to 23 consecutive matches.
The world number five, looking to become the first woman in the professional era since 1968 to win four consecutive titles at the French Open, has now beaten the 2021 US Open champion in all five of their meetings -- all the wins coming in straight sets.
She will next meet either Czech Sara Bejlek or Jaqueline Cristian of Romania.
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