We know
what bothers
Carlos Alcaraz on a tennis court, but executing it is another
matter. Players like Grigor Dimitrov seem to have figured out the key in recent
times. The Murcian struggles when played against aggressively from the start,
leaving him no breathing room or chance to implement his game. While knowing
the strategy is one thing, applying it is quite another—something
Ugo Humbert
did to perfection.
At least in
the first set, where Carlitos looked uncomfortable throughout, making far more
errors than usual, facing a nearly flawless opponent on the other side of the
net. From there, the Frenchman’s pace and level dipped, allowing Alcaraz to
take the second set. However, in the third, Humbert played his best tennis to
bring down the four-time Grand Slam champion 6-1, 3-6, 7-5, advancing to the
2024
Paris Masters quarterfinals.
One of
Alcaraz’s worst sets
With an
electrified crowd and extraordinary level of play, Ugo Humbert applied pressure
from the start. So much so that he reached 5-0, and there was concern that
Alcaraz might get bageled. He ultimately saved a game but suffered a solid 1-6
defeat at the hands of the Frenchman.
Alcaraz wakes up just in time
Alcaraz
didn’t improve at the start of the second set; however, Humbert did slow down,
committing many more unforced errors. This was somewhat predictable, given the
stratospheric level at which he had played in the first set. Encouraged by
this, the world number 3 improved, securing his first break of the match in the
sixth game.
From there,
everything went the Spaniard’s way as he reduced errors and took more risks.
They reached 5-3, with Alcaraz serving to level the match. He didn’t waste the
opportunity and sealed the set 6-3 with a clean service game.
Alcaraz falters under pressure
The third
set was the highest level of tennis, as it was the only set where both players
played exceptionally well simultaneously. The fifth game proved crucial for the
match's outcome, with an extraordinary Alcaraz defending everything and forcing
the Frenchman to err, but Humbert drew on his mental strength to hold his
serve.
They
reached 6-5, maintaining a very close level, but it was in the 12th and final
game that Alcaraz crumbled under the pressure. The crowd grew more animated,
Humbert intensified his play, and on his second match point, he secured
victory. The Spaniard missed an opportunity to gain points on Jannik Sinner in
the world rankings, and the Frenchman will now face Jordan Thompson for a spot
in the 2024 Paris Masters semifinals.