Carlos Alcaraz received his ATP No. 1 trophy in Paris, adding it to his already impressive list at only 19. Carlos claimed his first Major crown at the US Open and became the youngest ATP world no. 1 a day later. The Spaniard is yet to find that form, losing three out of seven post-US Open matches and hoping for a better run at the Paris Masters.
Carlos has been dealing with a slight knee injury, but he should be ready to compete at the season’s final Masters 1000 event. Alcaraz was the semi-finalist in Basel last week, adding points to his tally and hoping to finish the season ahead of his closest rival, Rafael Nadal.
Carlos defeated three rivals before experiencing a 6-3, 6-2 loss to an in-form Felix Auger-Aliassime in an hour and 21 minutes. Felix dominated the shortest points and kept everything under control for his third victory over the Spaniard from as many encounters.
Alcaraz admitted he could not do much against such a strong rival despite trying his best, hoping for a better run in Paris and Turin.
Carlos Alcaraz will play the Paris Masters despite slight knee issues.
Felix lost 13 points in nine service games and saved the only break point in the encounter’s closing stages.
He delivered three breaks from eight opportunities to control the pace and sail into the final. The Canadian hit 21 winners and 12 unforced errors, reducing the Spaniard to only seven winners and outplaying him in every department.
The Spaniard hit a double fault in game four and fended off two set points to remain on the positive side. Auger-Aliassime held at 15 in game seven and earned three break chances in the next one. He seized the first after the rival’s loose forehand to build a 5-3 advantage.
Felix held at love with a volley winner in game nine to wrap up the opener 6-3 in 39 minutes. Alcaraz claimed the second set’s opening game with a volley winner but could not do anything on the return. Felix cracked a backhand down the line winner in game three for a break at love and a 2-1 lead.
Auger-Aliassime confirmed the advantage with a service winner in game four and forced Alcaraz’s mistake two games later for 4-2. Carlos struggled on serve again in game seven and experienced a break that pushed his rival closer to the finish line.
Auger-Aliassime served for the victory at 5-2 and faced the first break point. He denied it and moved over the top with a service winner for a place in his third ATP final in as many weeks. “I have had knee problems, but all the players suffer from this type of pain at the end of the season. It’s nothing serious,” Carlos Alcaraz said.
