Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz Falls To Tommy Paul, Daniil Medvedev Ousted In Toronto

Frustrated world number one Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out of the ATP Toronto Masters 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 on Friday as American Tommy Paul ended the Spaniard's 14-match winning streak. Top-seeded Alcaraz was unable to escape the poor form that has plagued him all week as he prepares for a US Open title defense starting in just over two weeks.

The 20-year-old muttered to himself and chastised his play during a match lasting more than two and a quarter hours. "I realize I didn't play well in all of these matches," Alcaraz said. "All I can do now is practice to be better.

"I have some weeks before the US Open. But now I have to be focused (from Monday) on Cincinnati. It's a Masters 1000. It's a big tournament as well.

"I take a lot of lessons from this tournament."

Paul, ranked 14th, repeated his defeat of the Spaniard a year ago in the Montreal second round and now faces a semi-final against sixth seed Jannik Sinner, who defeated French showman Gael Monfils 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

"It's never easy to play Gael," Sinner said. "I just tried to stick to my game plan. I'm having my best season, I'm happy to be in the semis. I hope to raise my level tomorrow."

Paul, meanwhile, was trying to figure out how he got past Alcaraz. "I don't know if I think I have the recipe, but I played a really good match today," Paul said after notching another Canadian win over the Spaniard.

"I went after my shots. You can't start any points on your heels against him, he'll take advantage of it so you've really got to go after your shots early in the rally.

"Luckily I was feeling really good, playing first-strike tennis."

Alcaraz struggled early for the second straight match after barely  escaping a third-round encounter with Hubert Hurkacz.

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