Frustrated world number one Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out of the ATP Toronto Masters 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 on Friday as American Tommy Paul ended the Spaniard’s 14-match winning streak.
Top-seeded Alcaraz was unable to escape the poor form that has plagued him all week as he prepares for a US Open title defense starting in just over two weeks.
The 20-year-old muttered to himself and chastised his play during a match lasting more than two and a quarter hours.
“I realize I didn’t play well in all of these matches,” Alcaraz said. “All I can do now is practice to be better.
READ ALSO Amusan missing as AFN release list for WAC 2023
“I have some weeks before the US Open. But now I have to be focused (from Monday) on Cincinnati. It’s a Masters 1000. It’s a big tournament as well.
“I take a lot of lessons from this tournament.”
Paul, ranked 14th, repeated his defeat of the Spaniard a year ago in the Montreal second round and now faces a semi-final against sixth seed Jannik Sinner, who defeated French showman Gael Monfils 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
“It’s never easy to play Gael,” Sinner said. “I just tried to stick to my game plan.
“I’m having my best season, I’m happy to be in the semis. I hope to raise my level tomorrow.”
Paul, meanwhile, was trying to figure out how he got past Alcaraz.
“I don’t know if I think I have the recipe, but I played a really good match today,” Paul said after notching another Canadian win over the Spaniard.