Alcaraz beats Michelsen in Paris debut and faces Berrettini next

Alcaraz wins his Paris debut

Carlos Alcaraz opened his Paris Masters campaign on 4 November with a 7-6 (4), 6-3 win over the American Alex Michelsen, which puts him into the round of 16. La Vanguardia put the match at 1 hour and 40 minutes, while ABC Tu Diario en Español gave 1 hour and 41 minutes. Alcaraz arrived in Paris after winning the Vienna title, which ABC counted as his fourth title of the season. El Mundo said his forehand controlled the rallies and that he dominated the exchanges with it.

Tie-break and second set

The first set went to a tie-break after Michelsen led 4-1, before Alcaraz won six consecutive points to take it 7-4. ABC noted that the only previous meeting between the two, in Tokyo, also ended with the first set decided in a tie-break won by the Spaniard. In the second set Michelsen had the first break chance at 3-3, which Alcaraz saved, and Alcaraz then had three break chances in the next game before Michelsen conceded. ABC also reported that Alcaraz had never lost to a younger opponent in 16 meetings since turning professional, and that Michelsen, ranked 35th, had come into the match with a US Open quarter-final as his best result this year.

A reshuffled draw

Alexander Zverev, who had just taken over as world No 1, lost to the Italian Lorenzo Musetti, who won the first set 7-6 (5). Novak Djokovic lost to the Australian Rinky Hijikata 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, and La Vanguardia said the Serbian no longer has a chance of qualifying for the ATP Finals. El Mundo also listed Medvedev, Tiafoe, De Miñaur and Jódar among the players who have already fallen in Paris. Before the quarter-finals only three top-10 players remain, according to El Mundo: Alcaraz, Ben Shelton and Arthur Fils.

Berrettini next

Alcaraz will meet Matteo Berrettini in the round of 16 on 5 November, a match El Mundo said is not scheduled to start before 19.00. It is their first meeting since Wimbledon 2023. ABC noted that a wrist injury kept Alcaraz off the court for long spells in 2026, but El Mundo described him as fresh, focused and without self-criticism during the win over Michelsen.