Carlos Alcaraz has yet to make a name for himself at the Paris Masters. The four-time Major winner reached the quarter-final in 2022 before suffering early losses in the previous two campaigns. Carlos is probably not the greatest fan of Halloween, with both of his recent Paris Masters defeats occurring on October 31, the night of this holiday.
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Alcaraz falls to Roman Safiullin in Paris 2023
A year ago, the Spaniard fell to a qualifier Roman Safiullin 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 37 minutes, experiencing his worst result of the season. Carlos missed Basel due to an injury and could not return to his best in the French capital. Roman erased a deficit in both sets against world no. 2, playing well in the second part and notching his career-best victory. Safiullin outplayed Alcaraz behind the second serve, suffering two breaks and building the advantage with four return games on his tally. The Russian forged a slim lead in the quickest and more advanced rallies, reducing the number of errors and besting the Spaniard from the baseline with a fine pace. Carlos grabbed a break in the third game of the duel, welcoming the rival's backhand error and opening a 2-1 gap. Alcaraz could not cement the advantage, losing serve in the fourth game and bringing his rival back to the positive side. They provided three comfortable holds before Roman stepped in on the return at 4-3.
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He secured his second break after Carlos' loose backhand, moving 5-3 in front and serving for the opener. A qualifier felt no sign of nerves, cracking a backhand down the line winner and clinching the first part of the duel 6-3 in 37 minutes. Alcaraz blew two break points in the second game of the second set, missing a chance to move in front. The Spaniard tried again on the return two games later, landing a return winner and opening a 3-1 gap. The Russian maintained his composure, breaking back a few minutes later with a forehand winner at the net and returning to the positive side. With a boost on his side, Safiullin created four break points in the seventh game, converting the last after the rival's loose forehand and rattling off four games. Alcaraz served to stay in the match in game nine and held at 30, extending the battle and hoping for the final chance on the return at 4-5. The tenth game reached a deuce, and Roman seized the second match point with a service winner, moving over the top and sending world no. 2 packing.
Another October 31, another loss for Alcaraz
A year after falling to Safiullin, Alcaraz experienced another early loss at the Paris Masters. The home favorite Ugo Humbert toppled world no. 2 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 in two hours and 16 minutes, reaching the last four in front of the partisan crowd. Carlos disliked the super-fast court in Paris, ousting Nicolas Jarry before falling to Ugo despite a decent effort in sets two and three. The Spaniard overcame a terrible start, taking the second set and fighting hard in the decider before the Frenchman grabbed a late break that sent him over the top. Humbert collected seven points more than Alcaraz and played well behind the second serve, facing four break points in the second set and erasing three to keep the pressure on the other side. Carlos lost serve three times, two in the opener and the crucial one at 5-6 in the final set.
The home player missed many forehands, finishing on a 25-31 ratio. The Spaniard hit 23 winners and 25 unforced errors, building the advantage from the baseline but losing it after trailing in unreturned serves. Humbert had the upper hand in the shortest range up to four strokes, earning the win in that segment. The Frenchman stood as the only player on the court in the opening set, delivering two breaks for 6-1 in 26 minutes. Ugo broke in the second game of the match and provided another break two games later for a massive 4-0 lead. Humbert climbed back from 0-30 in the seventh game and fired four service winners to wrap up the opener in no time.
Carlos raised his level and served better in the second set. He missed his first break chances in the fourth game before making another push at 3-2. He welcomed a forehand mistake from his rival, delivering his only break and moving in front. Alcaraz served for the set at 5-3 and fired a backhand crosscourt winner for a hold at love, forcing a decider after an hour and 13 minutes. They served well in the first 11 games of the final set and looked good to introduce a tie break. However, Humbert stepped in and created two match points after a forehand error from world no. 2. Ugo seized the second after Carlos' backhand mistake, celebrating a career-best win and delivering another early loss for world no. 2.
