Carlos Alcaraz reached the last 16 of the Paris Masters on Wednesday (November 4) with a 7-6(4), 6-3 win over Alex Michelsen, on a day when several of the game's biggest names went out, Sportstar reported.
"It's been a really difficult day for the top guys, but I just try not to think about it and I try to step out there, play my best and enjoy," Alcaraz said.
How Alcaraz won
Michelsen, ranked 35th, led 4-1 in the first-set tie-break before Alcaraz won the next six points. In the second set, Alcaraz saved a break point at 3-3 and broke in the next game to lead 5-3, then served out the match, which lasted 1 hour 42 minutes, Tennis Majors reported. He hit 26 winners to Michelsen's 12.
Alcaraz, the second seed and world No. 3, came in on a five-match winning streak after winning his fourth title of the season in Vienna. Last year he lost his opening match in Paris.
The big exits
- Lorenzo Musetti beat top seed and new world No. 1 Alexander Zverev 7-6(5), 6-2.
- Qualifier Rinky Hijikata beat 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.
- Peru's Ignacio Buse beat fifth-ranked Daniil Medvedev in straight sets.
- Seventh seed Frances Tiafoe lost 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(9) to Quentin Halys.
Tiafoe's defeat meant Arthur Fils qualified for the ATP Finals. The 22-year-old Frenchman then beat Czech qualifier Tomas Machac 6-3, 7-6(4).
What next
Alcaraz plays Matteo Berrettini in the night session on Thursday; he leads their head-to-head 3-1. Third seed Ben Shelton faces home favourite Arthur Rinderknech in the day session.