Rafael Nadal crashed out of the Paris Masters in the second round after losing in three sets to American Tommy Paul, boosting Carlos Alcaraz’s hopes of finishing the year as world number one.

Nadal, who received a bye as second seed, was playing his first singles match in two months after spending time at home in Mallorca with his wife and newborn son.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion shook off an early break in the opening set by winning five of the next six games.

But Paul recovered from dropping serve in the third game of the second set to win a tie-break, having failed to convert a set point with Nadal serving at 4-5.

The Spaniard’s lack of match practice told as Paul dominated the final set, breaking three times to seal the biggest win of his career.

Nadal said he expected to compete at the Tour finals in Turin from November 13-20.