Carlos Alcaraz did not play well in any of the three matches at the National Bank Open in Toronto. The Spaniard, after beating Ben Shelton in straight sets, managed to find a way to beat Hubert Hurkacz in a very complicated match.
For the second consecutive year, however, he surrendered to Tommy Paul, Canada. In 2022, when the tournament was played in Montreal, the American stopped Alcaraz in the first round; this year, however, he won the quarterfinals.
Paul ended Alcaraz's streak of 14 successive games in a row to take his first win against a world number one.
Alcaraz: "I didn't play well in Toronto"
In the press conference, the Spaniard explained the reasons for the defeat: "I'm looking back at my games and I'm aware that I didn't play well in Toronto.
All I can do now is train to improve. I still have a few weeks before the US Open starts. Now I have to focus on the Cincinnati tournament: it's an ATP Masters 1000. I have to talk to my team and prepare Cincinnati well. This tournament will be a lesson for me." The Spaniard then added: "Second consecutive defeat in Canada against Paul? Tommy is a complete player.
Games against him are always difficult. He has great talent, great shots and is very fast. So he is one of the best players in the world right now. There are no doubts. He can play well on all surfaces. I have to improve many things right now; get more confidence in my game.
I will try to express my best tennis in Cincinnati. It was my first time in Toronto and I will take the love of the crowd with me." Alcaraz will now take the court in Cincinnati next week. The Spaniard will challenge John Isner or a tennis player from qualifying; while the first seed on his way is Tommy Paul.
Frances Tiafoe and Casper Ruud are the main suspects to push himself to the quarterfinals in his own portion of the draw.
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