Alcaraz wins in straight sets in Paris

AFP/Paris
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz opened his campaign at the Paris Masters yesterday with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Chilean Nicolas Jarry.
After receiving a bye through the first round, Alcaraz flew into a 3-0 lead in his round of 32 match but was reigned back in by Jarry, before eventually claiming the first set 7-5.
However, Alcaraz was in commanding form in the second set, giving his Chilean opponent only one game as he raced to victory.
The 21-year-old Spaniard is the heavy favourite to win his first title on the hard court in Paris.
Alcaraz will face either Frenchman Ugo Humbert or American Marcos Giron in the round of 16.
Argentinean Francisco Cerundolo edged Russian sixth seed Andrey Rublev 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/5) in a two-set match that lasted nearly two hours 20 minutes.
Poland’s 12th seed Hubert Hurkacz was also upset as he succumbed to a 1-6, 3-6 defeat to American Alex Michelsen, with play lasting just over 50 minutes.
Alex de Minaur beat Mariano Navone of Argentina 7-5, 6-1 to keep alive his chances of reaching the ATP Finals next month.
Holger Rune enjoyed a regulation 6-4, 6-4 win over Matteo Arnaldi, while the USA’s Ben Shelton fought through in three sets against hometown hope Corentin Moutet. In another France-against-USA battle, 21-year-old French wildcard Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard beat Frances Tiafoe 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/4), 6-3. France’s Richard Gasquet, who earlier in October announced his retirement from tennis after next year’s French Open, bowed out of the Paris Masters with a 3-6, 4-6 loss to Belgian Zizou Bergs.
Meanwhile Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Paris Masters due to a virus, the world number one said. The 23-year-old has been replaced in the draw by Frenchman Arthur Cazaux. “I’m very disappointed to tell you that I am not able to play here at this tournament. I came here very early to prepare and then I felt sick,” Sinner said in a video message shared by the organizers.
“I have a virus at the moment, which will pass in the next two or three days. Body-wise, I am not ready to compete. I am very sorry for that. I will see you guys (in Paris) next year.”