Second round: Alcaraz and Fils make a winning start
The last two players yet to step onto the courts of the Plenitude Arena in the 2026 edition, Carlos Alcaraz and Arthur Fils, who could meet in the quarterfinals, made a successful start to their campaigns.
Chasing a Paris crown
It is one trophy still missing from Carlos Alcaraz’s already impressive collection of 28 titles, including seven Grand Slams. In Paris, the No.2 seed has never gone beyond the quarterfinals, which he reached in 2022. Last year, for the tournament’s first edition at its new La Défense venue, his campaign ended in his opening match against Cameron Norrie (6-4, 3-6, 6-4). This Wednesday, he made no such mistake.
Facing Alex Michelsen for the second time, having already beaten the American in Tokyo earlier this year, Alcaraz took some time to adjust to the particularly fast conditions inside the new arena. After an exchange of breaks at 2-3 and 3-3, the opening set was decided in a tie-break. Michelsen raced into a 4-1 lead and looked well placed to take the opener, but the current world No.3 reeled off the next six points to move ahead after 54 minutes (7-6(4)).
Once he had found his bearings and loosened up on the forehand side, Carlitos wasted little time in finishing the job. A break at 4-3 gave him the opportunity to serve for the match, and he made no mistake (7-6(4), 6-3 in 1 hour and 41 minutes).
“I got the early break, but then I made a few mistakes and he was playing really well,” Alcaraz explained. “It was difficult because he’s a really solid player from the baseline. But I’m very happy with this first match and this first win. I’m already looking forward to tomorrow!”
On Thursday, he will face Matteo Berrettini as he looks to claim a seventh consecutive victory following his title in Vienna last week.
Double celebration for Arthur
On Wednesday morning, Arthur Fils (No.6) was watching from afar and supporting Quentin Halys in a match that proved just as nerve-racking for him. As well as seeing a first French player reach the round of 16, the French No.1 learned that he had officially qualified for the ATP Finals in Turin following Frances Tiafoe’s elimination.
“I was tense, it was horrible! When I saw him win, I could finally relax and I was so relieved. After that, my only goal was to go out there and enjoy myself,” he told Eurosport after defeating Tomas Machac (6-3, 7-6(4) in 1 hour and 27 minutes).
The first French player to qualify for the prestigious season-ending tournament since Gael Monfils in 2016, Fils was able to enjoy the moment on court.
In his match against qualifier Tomas Machac, and on his first appearance at the Plenitude Arena, Arthur Fils (No.6) came flying out of the blocks with an early break to race into a 3-0 lead, an advantage he never relinquished (6-3 in 42 minutes).
Both players were solid on serve in the second set, with neither able to gain the upper hand. Helped by his power and precision (5 aces and 92% of points won behind his first serve), the Frenchman did not face a single break point. He remained patient and eventually sealed victory in the tie-break, winning the final three points on three consecutive unforced errors from his opponent (6-3, 7-6(4) in 1 hour and 27 minutes).
“I played a pretty solid match. It wasn’t easy, especially against a player like him who is very aggressive, on such a fast surface. I hope tomorrow will be even better!” he concluded in his interview with Eurosport.
On Thursday, the world No.7, his career-high ranking, will take on Taylor Fritz (No.11), whom he has not beaten since 2024. This time, however, he will step onto court as the favourite, backed by his home crowd and with another major achievement under his belt: a maiden Masters 1000 title, won in Cincinnati last summer.