Carlos Alcaraz experienced another early loss at the Paris Masters. The four-time Major champion defeated Nicolas Jarry in the second round before falling to Ugo Humbert 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 in two hours and 16 minutes, ending his campaign before the quarter-final. Alcaraz praised his rival and the level he produced in front of the partisan crowd. Speaking about his game, the Spaniard admitted he could have played better, although he gave everything to stay competitive and chase the win. World no. 2 recovered from a terrible start and fought harder in sets two and three. They stayed neck and neck in the final set before the Frenchman prevailed with a late break.
What went wrong with Alcaraz against Humbert?
As we already said, Carlos fought well after the opener. However, he sprayed too many backhand errors, struggling to impose his strokes on the super-fast indoor court. Ugo faced no issues behind the initial shot in sets one and three, mounting the pressure on the other side. He broke world no. 2 two times in the opener and delivered that late return game in the decider that carried him over the top. Humbert struggled from his forehand wing, but it did not cost him in the end. He fired ten service winners more than Alcaraz and built a massive advantage in the shortest range up to four strokes, keeping him safe in the more prolonged ones.
Ugo wins the opener in 26 minutes, and Carlos bounces back in the second
The home star was off to a flying start, serving well and breaking the four-time Major winner two times. Ugo placed a deep return in the second game, securing an early advantage and gathering a boost. He held at 30 for 3-0 and earned three break chances in the next one with a forehand winner. The Frenchman seized the third, opening a 4-0 advantage and overcoming a 30-0 deficit at 5-1 to wrap up the first part of the duel in 26 minutes with four service winners. The Spaniard served better in the second set, providing five holds and making a difference with a single break. Humbert denied three break points in the fourth game before struggling again two games later. Carlos welcomed the rival's forehand mistake, clinching his only break of the duel and moving 4-2 in front. Alcaraz served for the set at 5-3, painting a backhand crosscourt winner and forcing a decider.
Humbert prevails with a late break
Ugo overcame three deuces in his games in games one and five, keeping his rival from breaking chances. They served well in games seven and eight, staying neck and neck and extending the drama. Carlos produced a reliable hold in the tenth game and wished for another at 5-6. However, Humbert stepped in and generated two match points after the rival's loose forehand. The home favorite seized the second after a backhand error from world no. 2, entering the quarter-final of the home Masters 1000 event.
"I could play better; that's obvious. However, I gave everything to stay competitive, fighting until the last point. I have to congratulate Ugo; he produced a high level and hit the ball with an incredible pace. I think he is increasing his level every time we play, and it only becomes better in front of the home crowd," Carlos Alcaraz said.
