Paris Masters: Humbert knocks out Alcaraz to join Tsitsipas in quarterfinals

Associated Press Paris: Frenchman Ugo Humbert harnessed the energy of the home crowd and produced one of his best career performances in beating Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 to reach the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters. A flurry of forehand and backhand winners had Alcaraz 5-0 down in a first set so one-sided that Alcaraz a four-time Grand Slam winner ironically waved his racket and grinned to the crowd after holding in the sixth game. “There were some incredible points, I think I have just experienced one of my greatest moments on a tennis court," Humbert said. "I don't want it to end here." The second-seeded Alcaraz controlled the second set but, after missing chances during the third set, served to stay in the match. The crowd jeered a replayed point but Alcaraz was unperturbed and held comfortably for 5-5.

Sensing a big upset, Humbert got the Bercy Arena crowd going in the next game. The 26-year-old left-hander looked like he was about to do a lap of honor after a brilliant forehand pass down the line at full stretch and earned ovations following a superb angled volley and a booming winner that flew past his Spanish opponent. “I have to congratulate Ugo. His performance has been really high,” Alcaraz said. “The way he hits the ball is unbelievable.” Alcaraz said Hubert deserved victory, but added that the unusually high speed of the court made it more difficult for him especially with the low trajectory of Humbert's shots. “The stats came out that this is the fastest court in the Masters 1000, probably on the tour,” the 21-year-old Spaniard said. “For example, the Davis Cup indoor court (was) way slower." A rattled-looking Alcaraz trailed 0-30 in the 12th game. Umpire Richard Haigh intervened to calm the crowd, urging them not to cheer when Alcaraz made a fault on serve and then said in English “Guys, you're affecting both players.” Serving again to stay in the match at 15-40, Alcaraz saved one match point but returned long on the next one.