Carlos Alcaraz Advances as Djokovic and Zverev Exit Paris Masters

Carlos Alcaraz Progresses Amid Major Upsets at Paris Masters

Carlos Alcaraz is still competing in the Paris Masters, while several top seeds including Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev suffered surprising defeats. Alcaraz defeated Alex Michelsen 7-6(4), 6-3, extending his winning streak to six matches following his victory at the Vienna Open last week.

The Spaniard has become the highest-ranked player left in the tournament after world number one Alexander Zverev lost to Lorenzo Musetti in his first match in Paris.

Zverev was among multiple seeded players eliminated on the third day of the event. Djokovic fell to Rinky Hijikata, while other notable exits included Daniil Medvedev, Frances Tiafoe, and Alex de Minaur. Alcaraz shared his thoughts on these unexpected outcomes during a press conference in Paris.

Alcaraz Reflects on Djokovic and Zverev’s Early Losses

“Of course I like to look at the draw. I love watching the matches. These Masters 1000 events packed into a week mean every round is really tough—it could be like a final of a 500 or even a 1000 event. You have to be ready and stay focused,” Alcaraz said.

“It’s been a challenging day for the top guys, but I try not to think about that. I just focus on playing my best and enjoying the moment.”

At the round of 16 stage, only three top 10 seeds remain: Alcaraz, Ben Shelton, and Arthur Fils.

Alcaraz Talks About His First Match Challenges in Paris

Alcaraz has historically found the Paris Masters difficult, never advancing beyond the quarter-finals. He noted the court conditions were faster than in Vienna, which posed some early difficulties.

“This court was way faster compared to Vienna, which made it tough at first. Facing Alex is always challenging because he plays flat, aggressive tennis with a big serve and likes to approach the net,” he explained.

“It was my first time on this court here, so feeling the speed of the court and balls was on my mind. I’m really happy I managed it well, stayed mentally strong when things got tough, and played great tennis. Today gave me good feedback on how to play and move on this court.”

Looking ahead, Alcaraz aims to reach the Paris Masters quarter-finals for the first time since 2022. His next opponent will be former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini. This will mark their fifth meeting, with Alcaraz holding a 3-1 lead in their head-to-head record.