Alcaraz’s blow at the Paris Masters
He has a special desire Carlos Alcaraz to Paris. He doesn’t ask much more from Roland Garros, where he hopes to win more times after having been the protagonist of a comeback for the ages against Jannik Sinner editions ago. Yes, he has appeared on the opposite side of the French capital with a desire for revenge. He wants to finally triumph in his Masters 1000.
Indoors and on a faster surface, a little more than the one he dominated the previous week, proclaiming himself champion of the ‘indoor’ in Vienna, Alcaraz has had very negative experiences in this event, since his debut in tears because the public took him against him because he was playing against a Frenchman, Hugo Gaston.
For his record, it is not normal that Alcaraz has won the same matches he has lost, 5-5, in a Masters 1000. That since 2023 his record was even negative, 1-3.
He always arrived just short of strength because the season was running out, but this time, with an injury in the middle, he had more rest than he would have liked. Fresher, in mind and legs, he wants to finally leave his mark.
And it has hit the first blow in its debut in the 2026 edition, the second to be held at the new headquarters of La Defense, at the Plenitude Arena headquarters. He subjected a player in progress, the American Alex Michelsenby 7-6 (4) and 6-3 in 1h.41′.
This Thursday, repeating the schedule at 7 pm, crossover with Italian Matteo Berrettini, which saved him a duel with a Frenchman, always so complicated in these parts, from the hot stands. They beat the local Ugo Humbert by 7-6 (3) and 7-5.
Promising start for Alcaraz, with morale through the roof as he lifted his fourth trophy of the course in Vienna. That he had the thorn of his early elimination against the British Cameron Norrie in his previous participation. He was effective at the peak moments.
The Murcian marveled in the tiebreak, from 1-4 down. He made a 6-0 run showing off his powerful forehand. A brilliant exercise in resources and determination. It caused Michelsen to throw his cap on the ground, in despair at the brilliant blows that Alcaraz made in hot moments.
He doesn’t want those younger than him to lose respect for him. He has played 16 matches against younger tennis players on the ATP Tour, and has won them all. Also this second with Michelsen, whom he had beaten in three sets a few weeks ago in Tokyo.
The American had the advantage of having already played a match, against the Czech Jiri Lehecka. Alcaraz found himself in “conditions that were totally different from those in Vienna, faster. In addition, it was the first time he set foot in the center, since he had trained the day before even outside of this facility. That is why I came out so focused, to have the maximum information immediately to adapt,” said the Murcian.
“I have gone without fear for the opportunities he has given me. I am already looking forward to the next match,” added Alcaraz, who has dominated Berrettini in three of four duels, but they have not faced each other since Wimbledon 2023.
I show a good state of form, and it will be more rolled on this faster track than usual on hard courts on the circuit. Michelsen put him to the test, and he passed it. Alcaraz did not get a first break in his favor (3-2), because he then gave up the serve (3-3).
He dazzled in the tiebreak, also to raise the threat of a break at 4-3 in the second, where he went after Michelsen next to deliver the final blow. The Spaniard added the last three games. Accurate, focused on the mission of succeeding in Paris, which he missed, as he signed on camera. He missed Roland Garros due to the wrist injury.
