After a shock defeat at Canadian Open, Carlos Alcaraz has admitted that his game was not up to the mark in his yet another Toronto Masters (quarterfinal) loss against Tommy Paul.
Alcaraz was defeated by the American in the R2 clash at the National Bank Open last year and despite improving his run at Montreal to quarter, the Spaniard experienced a similar fate against a similar foe once again.
The 2023 Wimbledon Championships conqueror reflected on his game, “I realize that I didn’t play well, these matches. All I can do now is practice to be better. I have some weeks before the US Open. But now I have to be focused on Cincinnati. It’s a Masters 1000. It’s a big tournament as well. Obviously, I take a lot of lessons from this tournament.”
He continued: “I think I did well some things, but probably everything can be better. I always say you can be better in everything even if you’ve played your best matches in your career. But right now, I have to improve a lot of things, getting more confidence in my game.”
Although disappointed in his own performance, the 20-year-old was very complimentary about his #14 ranked opponent, “He’s certainly a complete player. He’s a really solid player. Has great talent, great shots. He’s really, really fast as well.
“So he’s one of the best players in the world right now. There’s no doubt about it. He’s really tough on every surface. I mean, he’s a mix of everything. It makes him really, really tough.”
The Murcia-native’s shock exit from the Rogers Cup guarantees a news ATP Master 1000 Champion with Alejandro Davidovich Fokina,Tommy Paul, Alex de Minaur and Jannik Sinner still alive in the draw.
The world No. 1 now turns his sights to Cincinnati Masters where he will earn a first round bye to either face veteran American big-server John Isner or a qualifier, with the possibility of having a Toronto rematch with Paul in R3.
Carlos Alcaraz 2023 Losses
2023 was a dream season for the 20-year old with only five losses so far. Here are his losses in a very busy and successful 2023 ATP circuit.
Rio de Janeiro Final – 7-5 4-6 5-7 (L against Cameron Norrie)
Miami Open Semifinal – 7-6(4) 4-6 2-6 (L against Jannik Sinner)
Rome Open R3 – 3-6 6(4)-7 (L agaisnt Fabian Marozsan)
French Open Semifinal – 3-6 7-5 1-6 1-6. (L against Novak Djokovic)
Toronto Masters Quarterfinal – 3-6 6-4 3-6 (L against Tommy Paul)