Jannik Sinner’s 19-match winning streak was recently ended at the Indian Wells Stadium by Carlos Alcaraz. This season, the Italian seemed unbeatable, but Carlos had a different plan. A few hours later, he won the Indian Wells tournament for the second time in a row. Speaking of winning streaks, Alcaraz was on a 14-match winning streak before the Canadian Open quarterfinals last year.
Tommy Paul became the first American men’s player to overcome No. 1 since 2017 as he defeated Alcaraz 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 to advance to the semifinals in Toronto. Paul recently recalled that occasion and highlighted how cool Alcaraz remained after suffering an unexpected exit from the Canadian Open seven months earlier.
Paul remembered that after their quarterfinal match in Toronto, he and his entire team had dinner. Paul couldn’t just let his hair down and have fun since he had to meet Jannik Sinner in the San Francisco Bay Area the following day. However, Alcaraz appeared to be in a very different frame of mind, despite his defeat by Paul a short while ago.
Paul expressed his thoughts about it and said: “We finished late that day, but the tournament kept a restaurant open so we could get a late-night meal. And it was funny—Alcaraz also showed up at the restaurant 20 minutes later. He was waving at us and smiling as he went upstairs. I remember thinking he probably had much more fun than I did because I had to play the next day. But also, there was no animosity from him either way; guys at the top of their game are that way.”
Tommy Paul in 2024
Now ranked no.14, the American played his last match on the 16th of March when he capitulated to world no.4 Daniil Medvedev 1-6 7-6(3) 6-2 in the semifinal in Indian Wells (draw).
At present, during this year the American owns a composed 14-5 match record. Tommy clinched 1 title in Dallas. The American reached the final in Delray Beach.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2024
Ranked no.2, Alcaraz played his last match on the 17th of March when he overcame world no.4 Daniil Medvedev 7-6(5) 6-1 in the final in Indian Wells to win his 14th career title.
Until now, during this year Alcaraz has achieved an overall 12-3 record. This year, Carlos won 1 tournament in Indian Wells.
Tommy Paul and Carlos Alcaraz clashed against each other 4 times. Their record is 2-2. Previously, the last time they locked horns, Carlos Alcaraz won 7-6(6) 6-7(0) 6-3 in the 3rd round in Cincinnati (Western & Southern Open) in August 2023.
In the video below you can watch the highlights.
Tommy Paul and Carlos Alcaraz |
Embed from Getty Images |