Alcaraz moves past Jarry to reach Paris Masters second round

Carlos Alcaraz improved to 13-2 in opening rounds in 2024 after his first round victory against Nicolas Jarry at the Rolex Paris Masters on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old Alcaraz, who fell to the Chilean in the Buenos Aires semi-final in February, ended sublimely to move past Nicolas Jarry 7-5, 6-1 whist showing 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.”

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.

Elsewhere, Arthur Fils further outlined his credentials as one of France’s hottest prospects on Tuesday at the Rolex Paris Masters, where he became the youngest home star to record a main-draw win at the ATP Masters 1000 event since Richard Gasquet in 2006.

The 20-year-old Fils overcame Croatian Marin Cilic 7-6(5), 6-4 to reach the second round in Paris. Fils has won ATP 500 titles in Hamburg and Tokyo this year and will continue the quest for his first ATP Masters 1000 crown when he takes on Jan-Lennard Struff in the second round.