Paris 2024 Olympics: Electric Carlos Alcaraz dispatches Tommy Paul to reach semi-finals with flawless record
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/05/02/image-dfe2a7b1-16b3-40a7-aa20-5e002e65941a-68-310-310.jpeg)
Updated 01/08/2024 at 19:16 GMT+1
Spain's second seed Carlos Alcaraz is guaranteed to be involved in a medal match at the Paris 2024 Olympics after downing Tommy Paul of the USA to reach the men's singles semi-finals. Alcaraz is yet to drop a set in the singles and will face Felix Auger-Aliassime next after another impressive victory. Elsewhere, there were shock defeats for Casper Ruud and reigning champion Alexander Zverev.
'No way!' - Alcaraz rescues 'incredible' point against Paul, crowd can't believe it
Video credit: TNT Sports
Carlos Alcaraz is one win away from a shot at a gold medal after battling past Tommy Paul in the men’s singles quarter-finals to continue his flawless run in Paris.
The Spanish second seed is yet to drop a set in four matches and saw off his American opponent 6-3 7-6(7) in a two-hour contest on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Alcaraz will face Canada’s No. 13 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime next for a place in the final.
If the 21-year-old sensation is to claim gold in his maiden Olympics, it will have to be in the singles following his quarter-final exit in the doubles alongside Rafael Nadal.
As for Paul, the American’s hopes of medalling are still not over as he will team up with Taylor Fritz to take on the Team GB pairing of Andy Murray and Dan Evans later on Thursday.
Reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Alcaraz has shown few signs of weakness at Roland-Garros this week and put on another clinic against Paul despite facing a battle in the second set.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/08/01/4015462-81446888-2560-1440.jpg)
'The celebrations can begin' - Alcaraz reaches Olympic semi-final on debut
Video credit: TNT Sports
Paul, who has won titles in Dallas and at Queen’s in an impressive season, started strongly as he earned two break points in the opening game, but Alcaraz managed to fend them off for a tough opening hold.
The decisive moment came when a rising unforced error count from Paul allowed Alcaraz three break points in game six, and he took the second with a fierce return to edge 4-2 ahead.
Facing pressure on his serve again, the Spaniard got the crowd on its feet with an astonishing backhand winner from the back of the court, helping him on his way to serving out the set.
- Zheng stuns Swiatek in straight sets to reach Olympic final
- Paris 2024 medal table: Who is leading the standings?
But just as Alcaraz looked to be in firm control of the match, Paul fought back with a dominant start to set two, breaking early for a 3-0 lead as the Spaniard seemed to lose focus.
Some miraculous defence from Alcaraz sent him on the way to a break chance of his own, but he could not take it and left it late - until Paul was serving for the set - before finding the break he required with a phenomenal forehand winner to get the set back on serve.
The resulting tie-break was every bit as nerve-shredding as the second set had been, with Alcaraz saving set point and Paul saving a match point before the No. 2 seed edged to victory.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/08/01/4015288-81443413-2560-1440.jpg)
Zheng says she could play for ‘three hours more’ after beating Swiatek
Video credit: TNT Sports
Champ Zverev crashes out to Musetti, ruud falls
There was a shock on Court Suzanne-Lenglen as Tokyo gold medallist and No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev bowed out in straight sets to Italy's Lorenzo Musetti.
Musetti, fresh off a storming run to the Wimbledon semi-finals, triumphed 7-5 7-5 to earn a crack at Novak Djokovic or Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semi-finals.
It proved to be just the first upset of the day, as later sixth seed and medal hopeful Casper Ruud of Norway fell to a three-set loss to Auger-Aliassime.
The Canadian had match points during a tense second-set tie-break but could not take them. However, he bounced back to record a statement 6-4 6-7(8) 6-3 victory.
Men’s singles quarter-finals results
- Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) 6-3 7-6(7) Tommy Paul (USA)
- Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) 7-5 7-5 Alexander Zverev (GER)
- Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 6-4 6-7(8) 6-3 Casper Ruud (NOR)
- Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE)
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement