France, May 29 -- Carlos Alcaraz continued the defence of his crown on Wednesday with a win in four sets over Fabian Maroszan from Hungary.

Alcaraz, who beat Alexander Zverev in last year's final, ran away with the first set 6-1.

But his 25-year-old opponent offered stiffer resistance in the second.

After snaffling the Spaniard's service early in the set, he fought off three break points to hold on to his advantage, taking the second set 6-4 to level proceedings after 75 minutes on centre court.

Alcaraz surged through the third 6-1 in 25 minutes and from 2-2 in the fourth, the 22-year-old showcased his speed, touch and flair to reel off four straight games to give him the set and the match 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 after two hours and nine m...