Alcaraz Saves Match Points to Beat Fritz, Clinches ATP Finals Spot
Carlos Alcaraz saved two match points to defeat Taylor Fritz 6-7(10), 7-5, 6-3 in a Paris Masters epic, securing the final qualification berth for the ATP Finals and advancing to the semi-finals.
Carlos Alcaraz saved two match points to defeat Taylor Fritz in a Paris Masters epic on Friday night, securing the last spot in the ATP Finals. The world No. 3 won 6-7(10), 7-5, 6-3 in a two-hour and 43-minute battle that eliminated Fritz from contention for the season-ending tournament.
Fritz saved three set points to claim a tense first-set tiebreak. The American then built a 5-3 lead in the second set, earning his first match point. Alcaraz saved it with a forehand. He saved a second match point before breaking back to level at 5-5. Fritz fought off set points near the two-hour mark, but Alcaraz forced a decider. The 29-year-old Spaniard broke early in the third set and served out the match.
Qualification Impact
The victory allowed Carlos Alcaraz to leapfrog Rafael Jodar in the Race to Turin, claiming the eighth and final qualification spot for the ATP Finals. Jodar, ranked 11th in the Race, now takes the last berth by the skin of his teeth. The win also books Alcaraz a place in the Paris semi-finals.
The result confirms the complete eight-player lineup for the ATP Finals. The qualified players, in order of their Race ranking, are:
| Player | Race to Turin Ranking |
|---|---|
| Alexander Zverev | 1 |
| Jannik Sinner | 2 (out injured) |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 5 |
| Ben Shelton | 6 |
| Daniil Medvedev | 7 |
| Flavio Cobolli | 8 |
| Arthur Fils | 9 |
| Frances Tiafoe | 10 |
| Rafael Jodar | 11 |
Taylor Fritz, the world No. 10 and former world No. 4, is ranked 13th in the Race and is now out of contention.
Semi-Final Outlook
Carlos Alcaraz advances to face either Casper Ruud or Nuno Borges in the semi-finals. The 23-year-old Fritz held a 1-6 career record against Alcaraz heading into the match, with his sole win coming at the 2025 Laver Cup on an indoor hard court.
Alcaraz used the crowd's energy to his advantage during the critical moments. After the match, he wrote on the courtside camera, "Semis, you feel really good, love you Paris." He also reflected on the key second-set struggle. Carlos Alcaraz said: "I would say at 5-3 down, we played incredible tennis, both of us. Great points."
He will now prepare for his semi-final match tomorrow.
