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By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday November 3, 2021

 
Carlos Alcaraz

The highly anticipated first ATP-level meeting of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner goes to the Spaniard.

Photo Source: Getty

A heavily anticipated clash in Paris, between two players that figure to play a big part of the future of men’s tennis, has gone to Carlos Alcaraz of Spain.

The 18-year-old World No.35 notched his third Top-10 win since the US Open and continued to prove that he is a force on hard courts by defeating Italy’s Jannik Sinner, the World No.9, 7-6(1), 7-5 on Wednesday evening in Paris.

Tennis Express

It was a high-octane affair between two rising forces, with Alcaraz holding the edge throughout and eventually wearing Sinner down at the finish.

"I think it was a good match on both sides. First time on ATP Tour we played, so hopefully we can play some many, many more, which I think is the case, because he plays very, very high level." Sinner said. "I play high level. We are young. So I hope so. But you never know. But, yeah, I think it was a good start from both of us, I would say."

Alcaraz had the better of the opportunities, and pressured Sinner throughout the contest. He hit 26 winners, including 18 from the forehand side, against 20 unforced errors, while Sinner was able to produce only 20 winners against 43 unforced errors.

After taking the opening set in a lopsided tiebreak, Alcaraz ran into heavy resistance from Sinner in the second set. The 20-year-old Italian, playing at a career-high ranking of No.9 and fighting for a spot in this year’s Nitto ATP finals at Turin, saved six break points to survive his first five service games, but was broken for 6-5 in the second set.

Alcaraz then held at 30 to lock up the victory in two hours and eight minutes to take his place in the round of 16 on his Paris Masters debut.


Sinner sees his bid to reach the ATP Finals take a significant hit, as he has been leapfrogged by Hubert Hurkacz for the eighth spot in the Race to Turin. Hurkacz defeated Tommy Paul on Wednesday in Paris and now leads Sinner by 30 points.

The Italian will have to wait and see results from Hurkacz, Cameron Norrie and Casper Ruud to find if he has a chance to qualify next week in Stockholm.


The Spaniard, who improves to 27-16 on the season, will face France’s Hugo Gaston for a spot in the quarterfinals. Alcaraz is making his fourth Masters 1000 appearance and had never been beyond the third round at this level.

 

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