Carlos Alcaraz has made it into the French Open third round but only after a mid-match stutter that suggests he's still far from his sharpest after his recent forearm injury.
The Wimbledon champion dropped the third set against Dutch qualifier Jesper de Jong before prevailing 6-3 6-4 2-6 6-2 in Wednesday's clash at Roland Garros, one of the few on the covered showcourts that managed to get completed during a near-washout of the Paris programme.
But the tournament favourite was not the only serious men's contender to endure an uncomfortable day as Stefanos Tsitsipas admitted he had had to "fight against myself" before also winning in four sets, 6-3 6-2 6-7 (2-7) 6-4, against German Daniel Altmaier.
