Carlos Alcaraz made a winning start at the Rolex Paris Masters, defeating American Alex Michelsen 7-6(4), 6-3 on Wednesday to advance to the third round.
The second-seeded Spaniard needed one hour and 42 minutes to overcome Michelsen, who put up a strong challenge in the opening set before Alcaraz took control.
Alcaraz initially found himself trailing 4-1 in the first-set tie-break but responded impressively, winning six consecutive points to secure the set. The Spaniard then maintained his momentum in the second set, breaking Michelsen's serve to establish a 5-3 lead before closing out the match.
The victory extended Alcaraz's winning streak to six matches following his title run at the Vienna Open last week. He also continued his impressive recent form, having claimed four titles during the 2026 season.
Despite the victory, Alcaraz acknowledged the challenges posed by the opening match, particularly on a day when several leading players suffered unexpected defeats.
"It's been a really difficult day for the top guys, but I just try not to think about it and I try to step out there, play my best and enjoy," Alcaraz said.
The Spaniard produced 26 winners during the contest, more than twice Michelsen's tally of 12, while also winning 77 per cent of points behind his second serve.
Alcaraz will next face Matteo Berrettini in the third round after the Italian defeated home favourite Ugo Humbert 7-6(3), 7-5.
The Spaniard leads Berrettini 3-1 in their head-to-head meetings, with their most recent encounter coming at Wimbledon in 2023.
Alcaraz has yet to win the Paris Masters, having reached the quarter-finals on his previous best appearances. The tournament represents another opportunity for him to strengthen his position ahead of the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin.
