Paris Masters: Carlos Alcaraz advances to last 16 after dazzling win ...

Carlos Alcaraz advances to the next round of the Paris Masters with a decisive win over Nicolas Jarry. The young tennis star aims to close the gap with World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who withdrew due to illness.

Carlos Alcaraz advances to last 16 after dazzling win in opener (Reuters Photo)

World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz launched his Paris Masters campaign with a confident second-round win over Chile’s Nicolas Jarry, defeating him 7-5, 6-1 on Tuesday. Alcaraz, who was knocked out in the same round last year, showcased his form and precision by firing 13 winners and keeping unforced errors to just six.

Reflecting on his game, Alcaraz noted the mental improvement he’s seen in his performance. "It's always hard to compare your tennis year to year, but I am in a much better state mentally," Alcaraz said in a post-match press conference. “I want to play at my best level at this part of the season and am motivated to win this tournament."

Alcaraz is looking to close the significant 4,300-point gap between him and World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who withdrew from the Paris Masters due to a virus. Though the two wouldn't have faced each other before the final, Alcaraz expressed disappointment at Sinner's absence. “It’s never good news when the best player in the world withdraws,” he remarked. "I love to see him playing as a tennis fan."

With reigning champion Novak Djokovic also absent from this year's tournament, Alcaraz’s path to capturing his fifth title of the year has fewer obstacles.

In other early-round action, British player Jack Draper overcame Czech Jiri Lehecka 7-5, 6-2, and 13th-seeded Holger Rune from Denmark edged past Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi with a 6-4, 6-4 victory. Australia’s ninth-seed Alex de Minaur beat Mariano Navone 7-5, 6-1, and American Alex Michelsen upset 12th-seed Hubert Hurkacz 6-1, 6-3.

The tournament also saw several seeds bow out, including sixth-seed Andrey Rublev of Russia, who was defeated 7-6(6), 7-6(5) by Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo. In an electrifying match, French wildcard Giovanni Mpetshi Perricar bested 14th-seed Frances Tiafoe 6-7(5), 7-6(4), 6-3, thrilling the home crowd.

The evening matches capped a day of surprises and stellar performances, with Greece’s 10th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas dispatching Alejandro Tabilo 6-3, 6-4. Australia’s Jordan Thompson also pulled off an upset, defeating seventh-seed Casper Ruud 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-4.