The World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz admitted he didn’t play well and has a lot to improve after he was stunned by America’s Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open on Saturday. Paul won by 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 to reach his maiden ATP 1000 Masters semifinal.

This loss ended Alcaraz’s 14-match winning streak. Alcaraz will want to make a stronger comeback in the Cincinnati Open before the US Open.

“I realise that I didn’t play well, these matches,” said Wimbledon champion Alcaraz. All I can do now is practice to be better. I have some weeks before the US Open.

“But now I have to be focussed on Cincinnati. It’s a Masters 1000. It’s a big tournament as well. Obviously, I take a lot of lessons from this tournament.

“I think I did well some things, but probably everything can be better. I always say you can be better in everything even if you’ve played your best matches in your career.

“But right now, I have to improve a lot of things, getting more confidence in my game.”

Alcaraz could once again meet Tommy Paul in the third round of the Cincinnati Masters. The Wimbledon champion showered praise on the American for his solid game. Paul had also beaten Alcaraz in Montreal last year.

“He’s certainly a complete player,” said Alcaraz about Paul.

“He’s a really solid player. Has great talent, great shots. He’s really, really fast as well.

“So he’s one of the best players in the world right now. There’s no doubt about it.

“He’s really tough on every surface. I mean, he’s a mix of everything. It makes him really, really tough.”

Meanwhile, Paul was beaten by Jannik Sinner in the semifinals in straight sets. Sinner will take on Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the final on Sunday.