Alcaraz suffers shocking Canadian Open exit

Carlos Alcaraz’s suffered an unexpected defeat on Friday as the world number one fell to American Tommy Paul 6-3 4-6 6-3 in the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open.

For the third consecutive match in Toronto, the Spaniard started a game slow, falling behind early and double faulting to hand Paul the first set.

Alcaraz switched into a gear in the second, hitting a sensational tweener for a winner to level at 3-3 and breaking at love for a 4-3 lead the next game en route to leveling the contest.

Carlos Alcaraz hits a tweener down the line passing shot against Tommy Paul

Every tournament he plays, he keeps pushing the boundaries of excellence.

He raises the entertainment value in tennis 10 times over.

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One word: Superstar. ⭐️

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— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 12, 2023

Paul, though, was clinical in the deciding third set. The American produced a stunning backhand at the charging Alcaraz that he could not put back in his opponent’s court for a break and pouncing on a poorly executed drop shot from Alcaraz on match point to top the world No. 1.

The 26-year-old Paul will rise to a career-high ranking of at least 12 on Monday.