Paris Masters 2024 Draw: Carlos Alcaraz's projected path to the final ft. potential QF clash with Tommy Paul and SF with Daniil Medvedev
The draw for the Paris Masters 2024 is out, and Carlos Alcaraz found out who he will have to beat to lay his hands on the winner's trophy. He has a 4-3 record at the venue and will aim to better it with a good showing this time around. The Spaniard was on cloud nine with some good results as he won the French Open and Wimbledon, and secured the silver medal at the Olympics.
However, a second-round exit from the US Open gave Alcaraz a harsh reality check. He bounced back impressively and immediately went on a 12-match winning streak. He won the China Open during this time and made the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters for the first time in his career.
The Paris Masters offers Alcaraz a chance to test himself ahead of the ATP Finals. As he prepares to mount a challenge for his first title in the French capital, here's a look at the players he will have to go through to reach the final this year:
R2 opponent - Nicolas Jarry
After a first-round bye, Alcaraz will most likely begin his campaign against Jarry, or a yet-to-be-placed qualifier. The Spaniard leads the Chilean 2-1 in the head-to-head, though he lost their most recent meeting at this year's Argentina Open in straight sets. This will be their first encounter on hardcourts, which should give the 21-year-old an edge.
Potential R3 opponent - Ugo Humbert/Brandon Nakashima
Humbert has won two titles this year and reached another final as well. Nakashima has some decent results under his belt as well, with a couple of semifinal appearances so far. Both players have the potential to put Alcaraz in a spot of bother if they're at their best.
However, Alcaraz leads Humbert 2-0 in the head-to-head and won his only prior match against Nakashima as well. The Spaniard has been more consistent than either of his possible opponents at this stage and will be favored to make it through this round.
Possible QF opponent - Tommy Paul
Ruud is the highest seed Alcaraz could face in the quarterfinals. However, the Norwegian has won only one of his last seven matches and could bow out early once again given his poor form. The Spaniard's other rival, Paul, will be the favorite to make the last eight from this section.
Paul recently captured his third title of the season at the Stockholm Open, though he crashed out in the first round from this week's Erste Bank Open in Vienna. He initially led their rivalry 2-1 but Alcaraz has won their last three matches, including two of them this year. The latter's form indicates that his winning record is likely to be extended yet again.
Possible SF opponent - Daniil Medvedev/Grigor Dimitrov
Former Paris Masters champion Medvedev, or last year's runner-up Dimitrov, could await Alcaraz in the semifinals. Both players have performed quite well this year, though they've had their fair share of trouble against quality opposition.
Medvedev has a 1-7 record against top five players this season, while Dimitrov has gone 2-4 against them. The Russian has lost to Alcaraz thrice this year, though the Bulgarian managed to beat him in Miami.
However, both are capable of playing some lights-out tennis, so despite their struggles against top players, they have the potential to give Alcaraz a run for his money.
Possible Final opponent - Jannik Sinner
The tour's most in-form player is likely to stand between Alcaraz and the winner's trophy. Sinner has an impressive 65-6 record this year, with seven titles. He is also on an 11-match winning streak at the Masters level.
However, Alcaraz accounts for half of Sinner's losses this year. He first beat him at the Indian Wells Masters, then at the French Open, and more recently, in the final of the China Open. He also staged a comeback on all three occasions to win the match.
Sinner did beat him in the final of the Six Kings Slam last week, an exhibition event in Saudi Arabia. Alcaraz won the first set in that match, so perhaps the key to beating his rival is to initially be on the backfoot. The Italian has a 1-2 record at the Paris Masters, so in case he suffers another early exit, there are some other quality players to make the final in his place.
Taylor Fritz is another in-form player to look out for, along with former Paris Masters champion Holger Rune. Lorenzo Musetti and Jack Draper could reach their maiden final at this level here as well. Alexander Zverev is another player who could make a deep run. Alcaraz will have a slight edge against all of them, though the others are equally capable of causing an upset.