Carlos Alcaraz Advances as Djokovic and Zverev Exit Paris Masters
Carlos Alcaraz is still in the running at the Paris Masters after defeating Alex Michelsen 7-6(4), 6-3, extending his winning streak to six matches following his recent Vienna Open triumph. Meanwhile, big names including Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev suffered surprising losses, shaking up the tournament draw.
New world number one Zverev was knocked out in his opening match by Lorenzo Musetti, joining a list of seeded players who fell early on day three. Djokovic lost to Rinky Hijikata, while other notable players such as Daniil Medvedev, Frances Tiafoe, and Alex de Minaur also exited. In this context, Alcaraz shared his thoughts on the unexpected departures of these top contenders.
Alcaraz Reflects on the Impact of Djokovic and Zverev’s Losses
After his win against Michelsen, Alcaraz spoke to the press in Paris and acknowledged the effect these upsets had on the draw. Despite that, he said he tried to keep his focus on his own performance. As world number three, he noted how challenging the tournament remains with its tough matchups from the very start.
"Of course I like to look at the draw," said Alcaraz. "I love watching the matches, the Masters 1000 events in a week where we can see great matches from the first round. Every round is really difficult; it could be like a final of a 500 or even a 1000, so you have to be ready and focused every round. It’s been a tough day for the top guys, but I try not to think about it and just play my best and enjoy."
Among the remaining players in the last-16, only Alcaraz, Ben Shelton, and Arthur Fils remain as top 10 seeds.
Alcaraz Discusses Challenges in His Opening Match
Despite progressing, Alcaraz admitted the Paris Masters courts presented difficulties for him again. He has never moved beyond the quarter-finals here, and the speed of the court caught him off guard once more. Facing a player like Michelsen, known for his flat, aggressive style and strong serve, made the match even tougher.
"The court was way faster than in Vienna, which was difficult for me at first," Alcaraz explained. "I knew it was going to be a tough day because Alex plays very flat and aggressive, with a big serve and tries to get to the net a lot. It’s always tough no matter the conditions."
He added that stepping onto the court for the first time in the tournament made him consider how the balls and surface would behave. Still, he felt pleased with how he managed the situation mentally and physically.
"I handled everything well and played strong tennis when difficulties came," he said. "Today gave me good feedback on how to play and move on this court. I understand the game better now and can’t wait to play again tomorrow."
Next Up: Matteo Berrettini
Alcaraz aims to reach the Paris Masters quarter-finals for the first time since 2022. His upcoming opponent is former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini. This marks their fifth meeting, with Alcaraz leading the head-to-head 3-1.
