Jarry upset Alcaraz on clay at the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires earlier in the season, meaning the Spaniard was undoubtedly not taking anything for granted before his clash against him at the Paris Masters.
The Chilean boasts one of the most powerful serves on the ATP Tour, which could have made him dangerous on the relatively rapid courts at this year’s Masters 1000 competition in the French capital.
Alcaraz also failed to win a match in last year’s Paris Masters. He was surprised by Roman Saifullin in straight sets. The world No. 2 made an uncommon quantity of unforced errors in that encounter.
However, Alcaraz said before the event of his certainty about this year being different He admits that exhaustion hampered him last year, but the 21-year-old felt better moving into the 2024 Paris Masters.
The four-time Grand Slam champion confirmed that by overcoming Jarry in the opening round, avoiding a recurrence of the upset in Buenos Aires in February. He prevailed 7-5, 6-1 on Centre Court.
Alcaraz had to traverse what turned out to be a trickier-than-anticipated first set. He allowed Jarry back into the set after getting broken suddenly while serving for it but finally recovered.
Speaking to the ATP afterward, Alcaraz confessed things grew tricky in the opening set but was delighted overall with his performance and ability to come through against an opponent he lost to earlier in the season.
The 21-year-old is true about how quick the courts are, and it will be intriguing to monitor whether any players can make a shock run in Paris because of those conditions.