While Carlos Alcaraz previously celebrated victory at Wimbledon, Roman Safiullin had only reached the quarter-finals. But tables turned at the Paris Masters.
In a surprise turn of events, Carlos Alcaraz’s dream of ending the year as the world’s top-ranked tennis player took a serious hit after losing to Roman Safiullin in the Paris Masters. Second-ranked Alcaraz, who had a bye in the opening round, was bested 6-3, 6-4 by Safiullin, who is currently ranked 45th in the world.
Safiullin, the Russian underdog, displayed remarkable form, leaving Alcaraz struggling to find his rhythm in a lackluster performance. The loss puts Alcaraz in a precarious position in his bid to surpass Novak Djokovic at the pinnacle of the global rankings before the year concludes.
Having won his second Grand Slam title at Wimbledon earlier this year, Alcaraz had pulled out of the Basel tournament the previous week due to injury concerns. Competing for the first time since his elimination in the Shanghai Round of 16 on October 11, the 20-year-old young gun managed to secure a break in each set.
However, Safiullin made an impressive comeback, effectively targeting Alcaraz’s second serve and showcasing his skills at the net, thereby notching the most significant victory of his career based on rankings.
In a post-match interview, 26-year-old Safiullin remarked, “To beat Carlos, you really have to up your game, and fortunately, I was able to do that. He wasn’t at his best today, but beating him is never easy. You have to be on point, both tactically and mentally, throughout the match.”
In other tennis news, Novak Djokovic returned to the court in a doubles match with fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic. The world number one, who had been absent since his US Open victory on September 10, marked his comeback with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Ecuador’s Gonzalo Escobar and Kazakhstan’s Aleksandr Nedovyesov. Djokovic is set to begin his quest for an unprecedented seventh singles title at the Paris Masters, facing Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, American world number 10 Taylor Fritz withdrew ahead of his second-round match due to an abdominal injury, jeopardizing his chances of making it to the season-closing ATP Finals in Turin next month. “I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw with so much at stake,” Fritz said in a statement.
For all the tennis aficionados, stay tuned for live scores, results, and the schedule of upcoming matches. Want tennis updates? They’re just a phone alert away.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Paris Masters
Who suffered a shocking loss in the Paris Masters?
Carlos Alcaraz, who is currently ranked as the world number two, suffered an unexpected loss to Roman Safiullin, who is ranked 45th. The loss has jeopardized Alcaraz’s chances of overtaking Novak Djokovic as the year-end world number one.
Who won in the doubles match featuring Novak Djokovic?
Novak Djokovic teamed up with fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic for a straight-set victory against Ecuador’s Gonzalo Escobar and Kazakhstan’s Aleksandr Nedovyesov. This marked Djokovic’s return to match action.
What is at stake for Taylor Fritz?
Taylor Fritz, who is ranked 10th in the world, had to withdraw from his second-round match due to an abdominal injury. This has put his chances of qualifying for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin next month in jeopardy.
How did Roman Safiullin manage to defeat Carlos Alcaraz?
Roman Safiullin showcased exceptional form during the match, targeting Carlos Alcaraz’s second serve and performing well at the net. Safiullin said staying focused from start to finish and having the right tactics were key in defeating Alcaraz.
What was Carlos Alcaraz’s condition before playing in the Paris Masters?
Carlos Alcaraz had won Wimbledon earlier in the year and had pulled out of the Basel tournament the previous week due to injury. He was also playing for the first time since his exit in the Shanghai Round of 16 on October 11.
When is Novak Djokovic expected to play his singles match?
Novak Djokovic is expected to start his campaign for a record-extending seventh singles title at the Paris Masters against Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry on Wednesday.
How can tennis fans stay updated with the latest scores and results?
Tennis fans can stay tuned for live scores, results, and the schedule of upcoming matches. There are also phone alerts available for those who want real-time tennis news.
More about Paris Masters
- Paris Masters Official Website
- ATP World Rankings
- Wimbledon 2023 Results
- Novak Djokovic’s Career Stats
- Taylor Fritz’s Injury Update
- Carlos Alcaraz’s Career Highlights
- Roman Safiullin’s Recent Matches
- ATP Finals in Turin: What to Expect
- Tennis News Alerts for Your Phone
