The Spanish Carlos Alcaraz celebrated that he will maintain his world number 1 at least until the Turin ATP Finals in mid-November with a victory against the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (n.28), by 6-1 and 6-3 that allows him to advance to the quarterfinals of the Paris-Bercy Masters 1,000.
There, he will face the winner of the duel between the Russian Andrey Rublev (n.9) and the Danish Holger Rune (n.18). The youngest world number 1 in history (19 years old) will remain in his position, no matter what, at least until the ATP Finals that take place from November 13 to 20, due to the elimination in Paris- Bercy of his compatriot Rafa Nadal, number 2 in the world and who gave in last night to Tommy Paul (n.31).
The Murcian, who hardly had a moment of doubt in the second round, had a calmer match than in the previous round against the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka (n.38), defeated by a double 6-4. In one hour and 11 minutes, practically the same time he spent against Nishioka, Alcaraz was less incisive on his serve and it was Dimitrov’s errors (24 unforced) that paved his way to victory.
“Today I showed my best level, he (Dimitrov) did not, but surely we will meet again and it will be different,” said the young Spaniard, in statements at the foot of the track. His good return percentage and successful net climbs also contributed to his smooth victory, except when in the fifth game of the second set the Bulgarian broke him and wasted two balls to go up 4-3.
Two players on the rise await the Murcian in the quarterfinals, Rublev -mathematically classified for the ATP Finals- and Rune, 19 years old. “My goal is to improve my level every day, each stage is harder, there are tougher players,” he analyzed. EFE
