Follow usThe Greek had to work hard to win against his much lower-rated opponent
Stefanos Tsitsipas started the French Open with a victory, although he would not have envisaged it would cause him so much difficulties.
His opponent was 455th-ranked Jiri Vesely from the Czech republic and the fifth-seeded Tsitsipas barely survived in four sets 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(9-7).
Tsitsipas was on the verge of losing the fourth set as well as he had to save 4 set points to eventually close out the match.
“I said to myself there’s no chance this is going to a fifth set,” Tsitsipas, 24, said.
“Jiri was a difficult obstacle. He gave me a hard time and I am happy I overcame it in such fashion.”
Tsitsipas will face either Roberto Carballes Baena from Spain or American Emilio Nava in the next round.
Alcaraz comes from 1-2 down to lift his first French Open title 
Flying Swiatek wins third consecutive French Open title 
Zverev eliminates Ruud in 4 sets to reach the French Open final 
