2023 Canadian Open Quarter Finals - Carlos Alcaraz Garfia [1] (SPN) v/s Thomas John Robert Paul [12] (USA)

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Its the 3rd clash between these two; additionally, its the second consecutive year that they'd be playing each other in Canada. Last year, in Montreal, it was a 3 set win for Paul in R32, albeit Alcaraz did have match points to wrap it up in straight sets.

Earlier this year, Alcaraz got the better of him in Miami. Coming into this match, the young Spaniard has survived a big scare in R16 against Hurkacz, otoh Paul coasted through easily against Giron.

What's the way this match would be unfolding? Vote and discuss.

 

[Rafa4GOAT]

Its the 3rd clash between these two; additionally, its the second consecutive year that they'd be playing each other in Canada. Last year, in Montreal, it was a straight set win for Paul in R32, albeit Alcaraz did have match points to wrap it up in straight sets.

 

[Mainad]

Thomas John Robert Paul!

His parents must have liked naming him!!

 

[ppma]

Wouldn't be surprised if Carlos drops another set. I haven't seen him comfortable on court yet, neither in the two matches, nor the practices.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Alcaraz in 3 if he's still finding his feet in Toronto, in straights if he is starting to feel more comfortable.

It's time for Carlos to find his groove, with Sinner and Medvedev likely to come in SF and F. Maybe this is the match where he will?

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

Thomas John Robert Paul?

What is this? The list of the top 4 most common English surnames?

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Ok typo

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Thomas John Robert Paul?

What is this? The list of the top 4 most common English surnames?

Don't you dare

 

[Musterrific]

Thomas John Robert Paul?

What is this? The list of the top 4 most common English surnames?

Talk about his parents absolutely phoning it in when it came to naming him.

 

[Soul_Evisceration]

Although he's playing better than last year, Alcaraz still hasn't looked completely dialed in (his 3rd set performance vs Hurkacz was shocking despite the win).

Even though he lost to Tommy Paul last year, he had a Matchpoint.

I'm sure he'll find a way to win.

However, I'm not sure that his level will be good enough to beat Sinner and Medvedev if they are the opponents waiting in the Semi Final and Final.

 

[Mark Anderson]

I put Medvedev as winning but only because I thought Alcaraz would get beaten earlier. If Alcaraz makes it to the final he will win.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Think this one will be easier for alcaraz. Alcaraz in 2 and get his revenge for last year here.

 

[flyingboris]

Oh look, a match thread. Paul breaks and serves at 1-0 first set, good start!

 

[JeMar]

Man, all these girlfriends of these players in the 21-26 range all look alike.

 

[BeatlesFan]

If Alcaraz makes it to the final he will win.

He's playing below his standard. If he plays Sinner in the semis, Sinner will likely win. Carlos has a match up issue with him already and Sinner is playing the better ball right now.

 

[flyingboris]

Good hold by Paul, 3-1.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Carlos making too many UE's and he's not handling Paul's junk ball serving.

 

[flyingboris]

Carlos making too many UE's and he's not handling Paul's junk ball serving.

Plus admittedly Paul is hitting some decent shots here and there.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Wow, Paul up a double break. Carlos really playing poorly, as he has all tournament.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Plus admittedly Paul is hitting some decent shots here and there.

You're right, Tommy has played a clever tactical match and he's playing well. All credit to him, but let's see if he holds his nerve down the stretch.

 

[tudwell]

Plus admittedly Paul is hitting some decent shots here and there.

For sure. Hitting his forehand aggressively but no unforced errors yet. Carlos definitely spraying as well, though.

 

[ark_28]

Tommy P seems like an awful matchup for Alcaraz

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

Okay, a turning point perhaps? 5-3 now after the break

 

[tudwell]

Great return game from Alcaraz gets one of the breaks back. Still a long way to go if he wants to take this first set, though.

 

[ultimathule]

Alcaraz finding out it's easier to get to the top than staying there.

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

Impressive from Tommy Paul.

 

[djokovic the conqueror]

Paul owning Tiny for a 2nd year in a row at Canada.

 

[Bill Lobsalot]

Man, all these girlfriends of these players in the 21-26 range all look alike.

They're casting for Barbie II.

 

[djokovic the conqueror]

Tiny’s wta serve letting him down.

 

[ultimathule]

Very uninspired tennis from Carlitos

 

[tudwell]

Alcaraz just hasn’t found his timing all tournament. No rhythm to his game right now, no reliable patterns he seems to trust.

 

[Julius Caesar]

Alcaraz throwing his racket Djokovics style. Disgusting

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

Alcaraz just hasn’t found his timing all tournament. No rhythm to his game right now, no reliable patterns he seems to trust.

He's prepping. Probably loading up physically too, as he would in an offseason - to be in max form at the USO. That's inevitable when you have back-to-back "M1000"s right before a slam - which is simply absurd in today's day and age, especially near the tail end of a long and taxing season. And that's why you'll keep seeing the Bustas and Demons go deep in these events...

That said, he could still conceivably unforced-error his way to a title here...

 

[flyingboris]

he could still conceivably unforced-error his way to a title here...

Hey, today's match starts exactly like yesterday's. Let's see if he can win this with two tiebreaks.

 

[jimjam]

Did you see that stat? has won 78% of his matches after losing the first set this year.

2nd and 3rd on that list are 50%-ish. Djokovic is 2nd.

Crazy stat.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Jesus, if Alcaraz loses this set we are looking at one of the following winning the Canadian Masters:
Tommy Paul
Monfils
Sinner
Davidovich Fokina
De Minaur

 

[Julius Caesar]

Alcaraz yelling at his team like a maniac ‘I can’t’

 

[tudwell]

Jesus, if Alcaraz loses this set we are looking at one of the following winning the Canadian Masters:
Tommy Paul
Monfils
Sinner
Davidovich Fokina
De Minaur

If Sinner doesn’t win his maiden Masters here…

 

[djokovic the conqueror]

Why couldn’t Alcamug make this many errors in the Wimbledon final.

 

[BeatlesFan]

If Sinner doesn’t win his maiden Masters here…

I'm thinking the same thing. He will beat this version of Carlos tomorrow if they meet. And then be the heavy favorite in the final.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Did you see that stat? has won 78% of his matches after losing the first set this year.

2nd and 3rd on that list are 50%-ish. Djokovic is 2nd.

Crazy stat.

The stat sounds cool but it’s “only” 7 times he’s done it this year. And he put himself in a situation losing the first set to players he shouldn’t. Of that 78% where he’s come back from dropping the first, it was against the following:
Fognini in Rio
Jarry in Rio
Ruusuvuori in Madrid
Rinderknech in Queens
Berrettini at Wimbledon
Djokovic at Wimbledon
Hurkacz in Canada

The last 3 are worthy of the stat but dropping the first set to guys outside the top 80 like Fognini or guys outside the top 100 like Jarry isn’t great.

 

[Julius Caesar]

Why couldn’t Alcamug make this many errors in the Wimbledon final.

Djokomug was on the other side of the net

 

[tudwell]

I'm thinking the same thing. He will beat this version of Carlos tomorrow if they meet. And then be the heavy favorite in the final.

He really should. I could see Sinner start to feel the pressure if Carlos loses, though. At that point he’d be the very clear favorite for the title, a position I don’t think he’s ever been in at an event of this magnitude.

I’m not necessarily predicting that will happen but it wouldn’t surprise me. We’ll see what happens.

 

[tudwell]

Lmao. Tweener passing shot winner. Even playing his D game, Carlos puts on a show.

Seems a little calmed down at the moment, compared to a few minutes ago.

 

[Julius Caesar]

Alcaraz seems to can’t make a single break last two matches

 

[ultimathule]

Some Alcaraz magic ✨

 

[dking68]

Alcaraz is going to have to step it up against Sinner

 

[BeatlesFan]

Carlos breaks! I bet that Tweener has dejected Tommy.

 

[tudwell]

Atrocious game from Paul to drop serve. He blinked big time.

 

[Julius Caesar]

Alcaraz seems to can’t make a single break last two matches

Prophetic