Google News
World no. 1 Carlos Alcaraz failed to chase his fifth Masters 1000 crown in Toronto, falling to Tommy Paul 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in two hours and 20 minutes. Carlos experienced his fifth loss of the season and failed to extend his gap over Novak Djokovic, who will return to action next week.
Alcaraz shared a message with his fans, highlighting his great time in Toronto and saying it was not to be for him this week, also praising his opponent. Carlos barely passed Hubert Hurkacz in the previous round, failing to repeat that on Friday night.
Alcaraz hit six double faults and struggled behind the first and second serve, facing ten break points and getting broken four times. Carlos secured two breaks from five chances, which was insufficient to carry him through.
Paul won four points more than Alcaraz, hitting 19 winners and 29 unforced errors. Carlos dictated the pace with his forehand, landing 27 winners and 30 mistakes and falling after losing serve once in the decider. The Spaniard built a slight advantage in the shortest range up to four strokes, and the American erased it in the most advanced exchanges.
Carlos Alcaraz experienced the Canada Masters quarter-final loss.
Carlos lost serve in the encounter's first game, which is never a good sign. Tommy denied a break point in the fourth game with a service winner and produced a hold at love two games later for 4-2.
Alcaraz sprayed a forehand error in the seventh game to drop serve for the second time and fall 5-2 behind. He pulled one break back in game eight to reduce the deficit before losing serve for the third time at 3-5, handing the opener to his opponent.
Alcaraz saved a break point in the second set's fourth game with a volley winner and held at love in the sixth for 3-3, giving his best to stay in touch. Carlos broke Tommy at love in the seventh game to build his first advantage and denied three break points in the next one for 5-3.
Paul erased a set point with a booming serve in the ninth game, reducing the deficit to 5-4. Alcaraz left that chance behind, holding at love in the tenth game to send the duel into a decider after an hour and 34 minutes. Both players missed a break chance at the beginning of the final set before the American secured a crucial break at 3-2.
Tommy confirmed it with a service winner in the next one, opening a 5-2 gap and moving closer to the finish line. Paul served for the victory at 5-3 and landed a backhand down the line winner to emerge at the top and secure his career-best victory that propelled him into his first Masters 1000 semi-final.
"Thank you, Toronto, for the support this week! I loved playing here! Last night it was not to be! Congratulations, Tommy, for the win! Time to think about Cincinnati! " Carlos Alcaraz said.