Alcaraz: I like to look at Paul

When Carlos Alcaraz turns on tennis on TV, he likes to watch Tommy Paul.

World number one Alcaraz won an eight-match streak in the Miami Open round of 16 match against Paul, who defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokin.

After today’s 6-0, 7-6 victory over Dusan Lajovic, Alcaraz said he was a fan of Paul’s play on the court and his movements.

“I watch a lot of his matches,” Alcaraz said. “I love watching him, like I said. He is a really talented player. He simplifies everything. And yes, I like to watch such players.”

“I mean he does everything well. He moves well. I like to play battles, hard battles. So it’s going to be really hard, and of course I’m going to have fun.”

No. 1 Alcaraz knows exactly how dangerous Paul can be, as the American beat Alcaraz six weeks before winning the US Open. Paul saved match point in the second set by stopping Alcaraz in the barn, 6-7(4), 7-6(7), 6-3 in Toronto last summer.

“I lost my first and only match against Tommy,” Alcaraz said. “I know that he is a really talented and very strong player, so I have to play to the best of my ability. Let’s see what happens on Tuesday.”

Photo courtesy of Matthew Kalvis.