The Paris tournament opened with a significant upset as world number one Carlos Alcaraz was eliminated in the first round. Alcaraz faced British player Cameron Norrie, ranked 31st, who defeated him in a closely contested match with scores of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Carlos Alcaraz’s Unexpected Exit
This match marked a surprising turn for the young Spaniard, who had not competed since late September due to an ankle injury. Alcaraz highlighted the match as one of his worst performances of the season. Despite feeling confident upon arriving in Paris, he struggled to maintain his form during the match.
Alcaraz’s Reflections
- Alcaraz acknowledged that he experienced difficult sensations throughout the match.
- He recorded a staggering 54 unforced errors during the game.
- The match lasted for 2 hours and 22 minutes.
After winning the first set, Alcaraz lost momentum in the second set. He expressed confusion over his poor performance, stating, “I don’t understand what happened here.” His previous tournament appearances in Paris have not been encouraging, with early exits in the last two editions.
Impact on the ATP Rankings
Alcaraz’s early defeat raises concerns regarding the ATP rankings. Jannik Sinner, ranked second, is closely trailing him by less than 1,000 points. Should Sinner advance significantly in the tournament, he could overtake Alcaraz.
Upcoming Matches in the Tournament
Cameron Norrie, following his victory, will compete in the next round against the winner of another match between French player Arthur Rinderknech and Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot. The tournament continues to be competitive, with several high-ranking players in contention.
Other Tournament Highlights
- Ben Shelton, ranked 7th, convincingly beat Italian Flavien Cobolli.
- Félix Auger-Aliassime faced a tough match against Francisco Comesana but managed to win.
- Reigning champion Taylor Fritz overcame Aleksandar Vukic in straight sets.
The tournament runs from November 9 to November 16, and the competition for the ATP Finals is intensifying as players vie for the remaining qualifying spots.
