Carlos Alcaraz opened his Paris Masters campaign with a 7-6(4), 6-3 victory over American Alex Michelsen on Wednesday, banking a first-set tiebreak comeback and extending the winning streak that carried him to the Vienna title last week, elcorreo.com reported.
Michelsen arrived in the French capital with momentum of his own, having beaten Jiri Lehecka to reach the second round in a tournament where several of the biggest names had already fallen. But Alcaraz, playing with fresh legs after an injury-disrupted season, found the answers when they mattered most.
Six Straight Points Flip the First-Set Tiebreak
The first set went to a tiebreak, and Michelsen looked the likelier to take it when he moved ahead 4-1. Alcaraz then reeled off six consecutive points to close the set 7-4 in the decider, a turnaround that let him joke with his bench as the pressure lifted. Records show that since his loss to Zizou Bergs in Shanghai, Alcaraz has won all five tiebreaks he has played.
The second set was less tense, though Alcaraz still needed four of Michelsen’s service games before he finally broke through, and he served out the match in one hour and 40 minutes.
A Tournament That Has Never Come Easily for Alcaraz
The win carries extra weight given Alcaraz’s history in Paris. Before Wednesday he had won only five matches at the event: his best run came in 2022 with a quarterfinal appearance, while he lost in the first round in 2023, the second round in 2024 and the opening round again in 2025. He has long acknowledged arriving at the tournament short on preparation, and the results have reflected that. Winning two indoor titles earlier in his career gives him experience under a roof that few rivals match.
A Chaotic Day for the Favorites
Alcaraz’s path was eased by a wave of upsets that emptied the draw of established stars. Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, Alex de Miñaur, Daniil Medvedev and Frances Tiafoe were all eliminated in a single day, leaving the late-season Masters 1000 more unpredictable than usual as players carried fatigue into the final stretch of the season. Djokovic’s exit came against Rinky Hijikata, while De Miñaur, needing a win over Tomás Martín Etcheverry to keep his own hopes alive, lost in straight sets with just one of 13 break points converted.
Berrettini Awaits in the Second Round
Alcaraz’s next test comes against Matteo Berrettini, who beat Ugo Humbert to advance. The former Wimbledon finalist has spent years battling injuries but remains a dangerous indoor opponent because of his serve. The two have met four times, with Berrettini’s only victory coming at the 2022 Australian Open.
Turin Berth Hopes Revived for Rafa Jódar
Alcaraz next faces Berrettini in the second round, with the winner moving closer to a quarterfinal in a draw that has suddenly opened up around him.
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