We know what bothers Carlos Alcaraz on a tennis court, but executing it is another matter. Players like Grigor Dimitrov seem to have figured out the key in recent times. The Murcian struggles when played against aggressively from the start, leaving him no breathing room or chance to implement his game. While knowing the strategy is one thing, applying it is quite another—something Ugo Humbert did to perfection.
At least in the first set, where Carlitos looked uncomfortable throughout, making far more errors than usual, facing a nearly flawless opponent on the other side of the net. From there, the Frenchman’s pace and level dipped, allowing Alcaraz to take the second set. However, in the third, Humbert played his best tennis to bring down the four-time Grand Slam champion 6-1, 3-6, 7-5, advancing to the 2024 Paris Masters quarterfinals.
One of Alcaraz’s worst sets
With an electrified crowd and extraordinary level of play, Ugo Humbert applied pressure from the start. So much so that he reached 5-0, and there was concern that Alcaraz might get bageled. He ultimately saved a game but suffered a solid 1-6 defeat at the hands of the Frenchman.
Alcaraz wakes up just in time
Alcaraz didn’t improve at the start of the second set; however, Humbert did slow down, committing many more unforced errors. This was somewhat predictable, given the stratospheric level at which he had played in the first set. Encouraged by this, the world number 3 improved, securing his first break of the match in the sixth game.
From there, everything went the Spaniard’s way as he reduced errors and took more risks. They reached 5-3, with Alcaraz serving to level the match. He didn’t waste the opportunity and sealed the set 6-3 with a clean service game.
Alcaraz falters under pressure
The third set was the highest level of tennis, as it was the only set where both players played exceptionally well simultaneously. The fifth game proved crucial for the match’s outcome, with an extraordinary Alcaraz defending everything and forcing the Frenchman to err, but Humbert drew on his mental strength to hold his serve.
They reached 6-5, maintaining a very close level, but it was in the 12th and final game that Alcaraz crumbled under the pressure. The crowd grew more animated, Humbert intensified his play, and on his second match point, he secured victory. The Spaniard missed an opportunity to gain points on Jannik Sinner in the world rankings, and the Frenchman will now face Jordan Thompson for a spot in the 2024 Paris Masters semifinals.