Rafael Nadal: I was terrible

Nadal blames errors in second set for shocking Rd 2 defeat to Tommy Paul

Rafael Nadal crashed out of the Paris Masters in the second round on Wednesday after losing 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 1-6 to American Tommy Paul, boosting Carlos Alcaraz’s hopes of finishing the year as World No.1. 

Nadal, who received a bye as second seed, was playing his first singles match in two months after spending time at home in Mallorca with his wife and newborn son. The 22-time Grand Slam champion shook off an early break in the opening set by winning five of the next six games. 

Tommy’s biggest win

But Paul recovered from dropping serve in the third game of the second set to win a tie-break, having failed to convert a set point with Nadal serving at 4-5. The Spaniard’s lack of match practice told as Paul dominated the final set, breaking three times to seal the biggest win of his career.

Tommy Paul

“I had the match [in my hands] in that second set with a set and break. I played a terrible game there. I didn’t deserve the victory playing that bad in that key moment,” said Nadal. 

Also read: Rafael Nadal reveals why he became super emotional at Roger Federer's retirement

Nadal said he expected to compete at the Tour finals in Turin from November 13-20. “If nothing happens, I hope to be there. I’m excited about playing, even if it hasn’t been the perfect couple of months for me.”

Alcaraz into quarters

Meanwhile, World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz swatted aside Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets on Thursday to reach the Paris Masters quarter-finals, while Lorenzo Musetti dumped out third seed Casper Ruud. The Spanish teenager, saw off Dimitrov 6-1, 6-3 in 72 minutes. Italian youngster Musetti downed third seed Ruud 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

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