The world No. 1 ruled out Grigor Dimitrov with authority to rush into the quarter-finals of the Rolex Paris Masters in Paris.
His entry into the tournament (2e round), against the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka, was a test. Carlos Alcaraz had quickly reassured 6-4, 6-4 on his physical condition and the knee pain that could upset his end of the season.
Against Grigor Dimitrov, the world No. 1 started off on the floor. Carried by a double break, the Spaniard imposed his rhythm, his desire and never offered the slightest opening or the slightest respite to the quickly overwhelmed Bulgarian. And led 6-1 in 33′.
Alacaraz, with an ace, erased a break point at the start of the 2e set, before breaking away to lead 3-0, before flinching and seeing Dimitrov pick up at 3-3, before having two break points. The moment chosen by the world No. 1 to tighten the game and spin towards a quiet 6-3 qualification for the quarter-finals of the Masters 1000 in Paris. For a place in the last four, the Spaniard will face Holger Rune or Andrey Rublev (seeded n°7).
Round of 16:
Musetti (Ita)-Ruud (Nor, 3) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
Tiafoe (EU, 16)-De Minaur (Aus) 6-3, 7-6 (7/5)
alcaraz (esp, 1)-Dimitrov (Bul) 6-1, 6-3