Vienna Open QF: [2] Alcaraz def. [7] Paul, 6-4 7-6(2)
![Vienna Open QF: [2] Alcaraz def. [7] Paul, 6-4 7-6(2)](/media/site-21/149/001-3b6ed8ec.webp)
posted by u/pizzainmyshoe · 2026-10-30 16:30 UTC
Alcaraz will play Medvedev in the semi final
## Top comments
1. u/HutOwner · 2026-10-30 16:31 UTC
Alcaraz has won the last 16 sets and the last 7 matches against Paul.
2. u/Eyebronx · 2026-10-30 16:32 UTC
Sinner vs Shelton for returnbots
3. u/Dependent-Effect6077 · 2026-10-30 16:38 UTC
It's funny because I remember early on the talk was about how Paul would peak against Alcaraz
4. u/Eyebronx · 2026-10-30 16:40 UTC
That sort of ended after their Olympics match, Paul has broken Carlos only twice in their next 4 matches ( 11 sets).
5. u/Dependent-Effect6077 · 2026-10-30 16:41 UTC
Probably a good representation of how 2025 Alcaraz and non-injured 2026 Alcaraz > 2022-2024 Alcaraz in terms of average base level
6. u/ezioaltair12 · 2026-10-30 17:29 UTC
Paul hasnt had the hopes and dreams of 41 million Canadians to power him through those matches
7. u/CentreCourtWarrior · 2026-10-30 16:31 UTC
Fantastic choice from Carlos to play here. He needs all the match practice he can get right now but definitely indoors. Medvedev and likely Zverev in a final after will be a fantastic test for him and a great confidence boost going into Paris and Turin
8. u/eurochacha · 2026-10-30 16:34 UTC
His draw wasn't great but he's been doing a fine job with it
9. u/Dependent-Effect6077 · 2026-10-30 16:36 UTC
It wasn't great but I honestly feel like he wanted a tough draw right now
A 500 title in itself isn't that big a deal in the grand scheme of Alcaraz's career what matters to him is testing his current level against top players and getting post-injury match practice
Like what exactly would he gain from beating up on Fery and Mannarino at a 500 lol
10. u/disquiethim · 2026-10-30 16:38 UTC
82% first serves for charly
11. u/musicproducer07 · 2026-10-30 16:45 UTC
"Smiling through it all! Can't believe this my life"
12. u/Mister_Lizard · 2026-10-30 16:57 UTC
And regularly exceeding 130mph.
The serve seems to be fully back now.
13. u/Wise_Guitar2059 · 2026-10-30 17:06 UTC
Serve is back but points won on first serve still underwhelming.
14. u/Sophisticatedcaty · 2026-10-30 16:42 UTC
Percentage we want to see on regular basis🙏
15. u/Daviderer5 · 2026-10-30 16:56 UTC
Not really. Like, Carlos’ serve was not particularly effective today, 31% unreturned is good but not great. In percentage isn’t everything
16. u/heirjordan_27 · 2026-10-30 16:35 UTC
Tommy does to Carlos what Carlos does to a lot of players, where his emphasis on sharp angles makes Carlos look even better optically than usual. I can't gauge anything of Alcaraz's level based on this matchup.
Unrelated, but Alcaraz's dipping slice on the run is my favorite shot in tennis. The way he gets it to drop just over the net every time on the full run is just absurd
17. u/Dependent-Effect6077 · 2026-10-30 16:48 UTC
Yup the flip side of the "Alcaraz's style makes everyone peak against him" discourse is that if you yourself decide to actively open the court against Alcaraz it's not going to end very well lol
Just bashing the ball isn't the worst strategy but playing all-court tennis vs. Alcaraz is pretty useless it's been a long time since I remember someone doing well against him with that gameplan
18. u/heirjordan_27 · 2026-10-30 16:52 UTC
Yeah there's a reason why Djokovic had success against Alcaraz by keeping play up the middle. It forces Alcaraz to go for too much and become error-prone. Alcaraz fixed this last year by being much more disciplined, but his current form feels very 2024, so I think someone like Zverev or even Medvedev will give him much more trouble
19. u/Pretty-Heat-7310 · 2026-10-30 17:03 UTC
dimitrov beat him in Miami in 2024 playing all court tennis?
20. u/TOMA_TAN · 2026-10-30 19:02 UTC
Thats >2 years ago