Carlos Alcaraz was dumped out of the Rolex Paris Masters in his opening match as he suffered a 6-3 6-4 defeat to dark horse Roman Safiullin. The world No 45 is enjoying the best season of his career, recently earning scalps against Andy Murray and Alexander Zverev. And he continued his hot streak by getting the biggest win of his career over the world No 2. It marks the first time this year that Alcaraz has lost his first match at any tournament.
Alcaraz was back in action after pulling out of the recent Swiss Indoors with muscle fatigue in his lower back and a problem with the plantar fascia in his left foot. The 20-year-old confirmed that he was “feeling better every day” before arriving in Paris-Bercy, though he was unable to translate that feeling against Safiullin.
As the second seed, Alcaraz received a bye into the second round while the Russian came through qualifying to make the main draw, beating Alexandre Muller in the first round. It looked to be another routine opening match for the Spaniard when he broke in the third game.
But the in-form 26-year-old stormed back, winning five of the next six games to take the opening set 6-3 in under 40 minutes. The second set followed the pattern of the first, as Alcaraz once again took an early break lead that he couldn’t hang onto.
MORE TO FOLLOW
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit: express.co.uk/sport/football. Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @dexpress_sport – the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account – providing real news in real time.
We’re also on Facebook @dailyexpresssport – offering your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day to like, comment and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Express.co.uk.
