Russian qualifier Roman Safiulin rallied from one break down in each set to upset world number 2 Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 6-4 at the Paris Rolex Masters at the Accor Arena in Paris Bercy.
Safiulin has moved to world number 39 in the ATP Live Ranking. The Russian player made a major breakthrough this year reaching the quarter final at Wimbledon and the final in Chengdu. Safiulin improved his win-loss record to 3-6 against top 10 players. She has reached the third round at four of the past five ATP Masters 1000 following Madrid, Rome and Shanghai.
Safiulin converted four of his eight break points and dropped his serve twice. He saved two of four break points and won 10 of 12 points at the net.
Alcaraz earned an early break in the third game to take a 2-1 lead, as Safiulin netted a backhand. Safiulin broke back in the fourth game to draw level to 2-2.
Both players went on serve in the next three games before Safiulin broke for the second time to take a 5-3 lead, as Alcaraz made a backhand error.
Safiulin earned the chance to serve for the first set and hit a backhand down the line winner to close out the first set 6-3 after 37 minutes.
Alcaraz earned two break points in the second game of the second set, but he did not waste them.
Alcaraz broke serve in the fourth game with a return down the line winner to open up a 3-1 lead. Safiulin broke back with a forehand down the line winner at the net.
Safiulin converted his fourth break point in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead. Alcaraz held to 30 to stay in the match In the ninth game. Safiulin hit a service winner on the second match point in the 10th game to clinch the best win of his career.
Alcaraz was playing for the first time since his defeat against Grigor Dimitrov in the Round of 16 at the Shanghai Masters 1000 tournament. The Spanish player had not lost his opening match since a three-set defeat against Tommy Paul in Montreal in August 2022.
“Since the qualifying round, I was not playing at this level, but against Carlos and these top 10 guys, you have to lift up the level. I managed to do it. For Carlos it was not his best performance, but still I am happy that I can win. Even if he is not in the best shape it’s tough to beat him. I am really happy that I made it. Everything against these guys is important. Tactical, physical and the mental part is very important. It’s key to stay focused from the beginning to the end.”, said Safiulin.
Rublev beats Nishioka in straight sets
Andrey Rublev beat Japanese qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka 6-4 6-3 to reach the Round of 16 at the Paris Rolex Masters at the Accor Arena in Paris Bercy.
Rublev will play against the winner of the second round match between Tommy Paul and Botic Van de Zandschulp.
Nishioka beat Australian lucky loser Jordan Thompson in the previous round.
Rublev saved a break point in the fifth game to hold serve for 3-2. Nishioka fended off a break point in the sixth game to draw level to 3-3. Both players went on serve until the 10th game, when Rublev earned the first break of the match to seal the opening set 6-4.
The second set went on serve before Rublev broke serve in the sixth game to open up a 4-2 lead. The Russian player held on serve and sealed the win on his first match point.
