World no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz is eager to avoid his mistake from the Paris Masters! The four-time Major winner and his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, are preparing for the ATP Finals on the exact surface we will see in Turin next week. Alcaraz debuted at the premium ATP event a year ago (he withdrew in 2022 due to an injury) and passed the round-robin stage before falling to Novak Djokovic in the semi-final. Carlos admitted that the surface in Paris surprised him. That’s why he wants to avoid the same scenario in Turin, installing the exact hard court at the Juan Carlos Ferrero Tennis Academy in Alicante and practicing on it.
Carlos Alcaraz, Six Kings Slam 2024© Stream screenshot
Alcaraz’s Paris Masters struggle
Carlos could not achieve a deep run in Paris last week. He beat Nicolas Jarry before falling to Ugo Humbert in the third round. The Spaniard did not like the super-fast surface in Bercy; he tried his best but failed to reach the quarter-final after suffering a late break against the home star. Humbert played inspired tennis in front of the home fans and delivered his career-best victory after prevailing 6-1, 3-6, 7-5. Alcaraz made a terrible start before responding in the second set, serving well until the closing stages of the encounter. However, Ugo made no errors in his games, providing a late break and moving over the top. The Frenchman claimed seven points more than his rival thanks to the opening set. He defended his second serve nicely and faced four break points in the second set, losing serve once and keeping the pressure on the other side. Carlos lost serve two times in the opening set and suffered a crucial break at 5-6 in the decider, failing to reach a tie break and extend his chances.
Carlos Alcaraz, Six Kings Slam 2024© Stream screenshot
Humbert could not find the range from his forehand, landing 25 winners and 31 unforced errors. He left Alcaraz on a 23-25 ratio, hitting ten service winners more and keeping the pressure on the other side. Carlos had a slim edge from the baseline and at the net, although it was not enough to carry him over the top despite a decent effort. Ugo built the advantage in the shortest exchanges, attacking first and keeping the points on his racquet. The Frenchman made a flying start, delivering two breaks in the opening set and claiming it in 26 minutes for a massive boost. The Spaniard recovered his game in the second set, serving well and generating four break points in two games. Carlos seized one, taking the set 6-3 and improving his chances ahead of the decider. They served well in the first 11 games, and Alcaraz needed another fine hold at 5-6. Humbert made a push on the return and used the rival’s mistake to seal the deal and send world no. 2 packing.
Carlos Alcaraz, Paris Masters 2024© Stream screenshot
Alcaraz’s 2023 ATP Finals debut
Carlos missed his ATP Finals debut due to an injury in 2022. The Spaniard traveled to Turin last year and passed the round-robin stage after an early setback, reaching the semi-final before falling to Novak Djokovic. Alcaraz played his first ATP Finals match against Alexander Zverev and suffered a 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 defeat in two and a half hours. The young gun prevailed in the opener before losing ground, suffering three breaks and jeopardizing his semi-final chances. However, Carlos bounced back and defeated Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev in straight sets, passing the group stage and setting the semi-final clash against world no. 1 Novak Djokovic. The veteran ousted the young gun 6-3, 6-2 in an hour and 28 minutes, booking a place in the title clash. Alcaraz landed in 84% of the first serve but did nothing with that against the strongest returner of all time.
Carlos Alcaraz, Beijing Open 2024© Stream screenshot
Djokovic defended two break points at the beginning of the duel and two more in the second set, mounting the pressure on the other side and providing three breaks that carried him home. The youngster fired a backhand down the line winner in the first game of the encounter, generating two break points. Novak denied them after the rival’s errors and landed an ace, avoiding an early setback. Djokovic survived deuces in the fifth game and made a push on the return at 4-3. Alcaraz missed backhands and suffered a break, sending the legend 5-3 in front. Novak served for the opener in game nine and held at love with an ace, wrapping up the opener in 40 minutes and earning a boost ahead of set number two.
They served well in the opening games before Carlos faced issues at 1-1. He lost serve and fell 3-1 behind after Djokovic’s hold in the next one. The Spaniard defended a break point in the fifth game, remaining within one break deficit and hoping for a comeback. Alcaraz stepped in on the return in the sixth game, landing a volley winner and earning two break chances. Novak erased them with winners and landed two more, rattling off four points and forging a 4-2 advantage. Djokovic made a push on the return in the next one, seizing the third break point and opening a 5-2 gap. The defending champion served for the win in game eight and sealed the deal with a hold at 15, beating the Spaniard for the third time and reaching the final.