Alcaraz neutralises Jarry, advances to Paris R3

Carlos Alcaraz kickstarted his campaign at the Rolex Paris Masters on Tuesday by serving up some revenge. 

The second seed finished with a flourish to move past Nicolas Jarry 7-5, 6-1, improving to 13-2 in opening rounds in 2024. Alcaraz, who fell to the Chilean in the Buenos Aires semi-final in February, showcased his class on return to convert 80 per cent (4/5) of break points, according to Infosys ATP Stats. 

“I think I played really good tennis [in the first set], but at the end it was complicated,” said Alcaraz, who improved to 16-4 at ATP Masters 1000 events this season. “I’m just really happy to get through the opening set, it was really important for me to come into the second with more confidence. I [need] time to get used to the speed of the court.

“It’s been two years since I have won a match here in Paris-Bercy, so everytime that I keep going is a gift for me.”

He's HIM. ?@carlosalcaraz gets his campaign off to a winning start in Paris, defeating Jarry 7-5 6-1!#RolexParisMasters | @RolexPMasters pic.twitter.com/rQUIBYfb4P

As he continues his quest to win five or more ATP Tour titles for a third consecutive season, Alcaraz will face home hope Ugo Humbert or qualifier Marcos Giron for a spot in the quarter-finals. 

Alcaraz wasted little time in taking the lead, rattling off five consecutive points from 0/40 to break Jarry's serve in the second game. The 21-year-old was pulled back when serving out the set at 5-4, but dialed back in to seal the opener. 

Jarry applied pressure on return throughout the second set, during which he carved out four break opportunities, according to Infosys ATP Stats. However, Alcaraz showed resilience to stand firm and surge to a one-hour, 30-minute victory, improving to 3-1 in the pair's Lexus ATP Head2Head series. 

Winning in different ways?@carlosalcaraz serving way above his #ShotQuality average of 8.0 ?#TennisInsights | @atptour | @RolexPMasters pic.twitter.com/IutvuNwh4U

[NEWSLETTER FORM]