2023-08-12 07:46:03
Updated Saturday, August 12, 2023 – 07:46
Paul, number 14 in the ATP, was also his executioner last year
Alcaraz after his defeat in TorontoFrank GunnAP
Carlos Alcaraznumber one in the world, fell this Friday in the quarterfinals of the Toronto Masters 1,000 before the american Tommy Paul by 6-3, 4-6 and 6-3 in two hours and 20 minutes.
The Spanish tennis player stumbled for the second consecutive year with the same stone, since Paul, number 14 in the ATP, was also his executioner last year in the Canadian tournament (in 2022, that elimination came in the second round).
This defeat in Toronto broke the streak of 14 victories in a row (not counting the Hopman Cup) worn by Alcaraz, who had won his last two tournaments in a row (Queen’s and Wimbledon).
After several weeks off (with the exception of the Hopman Cup) after his historic victory at Wimbledon, Alcaraz arrived in Toronto with little rhythm and trying to recover sensations, he beat American Ben Shelton in his debut with more skill than brilliance (6 -3 and 7-6) and came back in the round of 16 with a lot of suffering from the Polish giant Hubert Hurkacz (3-6, 7-6 and 7-6).
However, he could not in the quarterfinals with a Paul who signed a fantastic performancewho has beaten him in two of their three matches so far (Alcaraz beat him this year at the Masters 1,000 in Miami) and who will play in the semifinals against the winner of the match between Gael Monfils and Jannik Sinner.
For his part, Alcaraz now has a record of 49-5 in 2023 with six titles this year (the best in the ATP in both records)
The man from El Palmar will continue with his set-up on hard courts in North America and will face the next week the Cincinnati Masters 1,000 before heading to New York to defend his US Open crown.
A SIMILAR SCRIPT WITH A DIFFERENT ENDING
The match script, at least at the start, seemed like an exact copy of his very difficult duel against Hurkacz.
As in that meeting on Thursday, Alcaraz began intemperate and with many doubts with his service, so much so that he gave up his first turn to serve the evening.
On the other hand, Paul entered the game very aggressive, he was not afraid to go to the net and got to 5-2 in favor after getting a new “break” without showing weak points in his serve.
There was a hint of a reaction from Alcaraz at that moment, when the Murcian added his first “break” against a Paul who was serving to take the set (5-3).
However, the American showed great confidence on his forehanddominated the long rallies and closed the rest of the first set with his third service break after a new double fault from Alcaraz (6-3)
The Murcian committed seven unforced errors and four double faults in that first set.
Forced to row against the current one more night, Alcaraz left clear signs of his frustration, especially with a right hand that was far from his usual level.
“I can’t play tennis like this!”he yelled desperately looking for explanations after a new mistake in front of a Paul who continued with a firm step.
Alcaraz had to save a “break” ball with 2-1 against in the second set, but down 3-2, he pulled an extraordinary trick out of his hat, only within the reach of the chosen ones, with a magnificent parallel shot under the legs that surpassed Paul in the net and raised the entire Canadian public.
That brilliant and impressive spark returned Alcaraz’s smile and prompted him to get a “break” with a clean game after Paul’s first moment of weakness so far (3-4).
The scares for Alcaraz did not end, since Paul had three break opportunities in the next game, but the Spaniard kept his serve (3-5) after surviving three break balls from his rival and forced a third set ( 4-6).
More solid from the bottom of the track and with an increasingly convincing forehand, Alcaraz seemed to be aiming for an epic comeback like the one on Thursday.
However, Paul did not break down so the two players competed in the third set head to head to see who could throw the most powerful and deep forehands.
With everything very even, the American managed to break his opponent’s serve to go up 4-2 and he did not look back to seal a great victory against Alcaraz.
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