ATP Finals Race: Carlos Alcaraz makes ‘unmatched’ claim after beating Taylor Fritz in Paris Masters epic

Carlos Alcaraz ended Taylor Fritz’s ATP Finals hopes after saving two match points in an epic three-set comeback win at the Paris Masters on Friday night.

Heading into this quarter-final contest, Fritz had a losing 6-1 record against Alcaraz, but the American’s sole win in this head-to-head did come on an indoor hard court (Laver Cup 2025), a surface where the two are more evenly matched.

For the 29-year-old, who looked out of the picture for Turin last week, a win over the seven-time major winner would see him leapfrog Rafael Jodar in the Race to the ATP Finals and secure the last qualification spot for the season-ending event.

The task, however, was a difficult one. Beat the in-form 23-year-old, who has looked like the best player in the world in recent weeks.

Indeed, the Spaniard went an early break up but errors crept into his game, coupled with Fritz consistently maintaining a high level, particularly from the baseline. Alcaraz failed to serve out the first set at 5-4, as both players went at it hammer and tongs in the tiebreak.

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In a see-sawing tiebreak, former US Open finalist Fritz managed to stave off three set points and take a 61-minute opening set 7-6 (10).

The 6ft 5in player had three break points early in the second, only for some Alcaraz magic to keep him at bay. But the pressure told as Fritz went 4-3 up, as he smelled the finish line.

The former world No 4, who was looking for his first Tour win over Alcaraz, was arguably playing his best match of the season, as he combined big serving and aggressive returns with consistent groundstrokes and solid defence.

After one hour and 41 minutes, Fritz earned his first match point, only for the world No 3 to wrong-foot him with a well-placed forehand. Alcaraz then won one of the points of the year to take it to 5-4, as the American could only laugh at his opponent’s brilliance.

A second match point arrived seven minutes later, only for Alcaraz to save it in style. Then, out of nowhere, he broke Fritz’s serve to make it 5-5, as this remarkable contest rumbled on.

Around the two-hour mark, Fritz was having to save set points as Alcaraz threatened to force a decider. At the third time of asking, though, he couldn’t hold back the storm as the contest went to a third set.

The world No 10 was naturally deflated after that setback and went a break down early in the final set. The Spaniard had chances to go a double break up but Fritz forced him to serve it out.

And after two hours and 43 minutes of gripping tennis, Alcaraz secured a 6-7 (10), 7-5, 6-3 victory to set up a semi-final with either Casper Ruud or Nuno Borges. The ATP Finals lineup is now complete, with Jodar taking the last spot by the skin of his teeth.

After the match, he wrote on the courtside camera, “Semis, you feel really good, love you Paris.”

He then told Sky Sports, “I tried not to let myself down in those difficult moments I had in the second set. I tried to stay strong mentally and try to save those problems, those break points, those match points down.

“I would say at 5-3 down, we played incredible tennis, both of us. Great points. The people were standing up, bringing the energy into the match. I used the people; I used the energy. I gave them what they really wanted to watch today.

“I am just really happy I could play for an hour and a half more for them to entertain them a little bit. It was an incredible feeling. What I got from today was unmatched. I am happy to give myself another chance to step on the court tomorrow.”

Race to Turin standings:

1. Alexander Zverev – 9,350 – Qualified

2. Jannik Sinner – 7,950 – Out injured

3. Carlos Alcaraz – 5,500 – Qualified

4. Ben Shelton – 4,920 – Qualified

5. Daniil Medvedev – 3,820 – Qualified

6. Flavio Cobolli – 3,680 – Qualified

7. Arthur Fils – 3,625 – Qualified

8. Frances Tiafoe – 3,390 – Qualified

9. Rafael Jodar – 3,234 – Qualified

———————————————–

10. Alex de Minaur – 3,170 – Out of contention

11. Taylor Fritz – 3,050 – Out of contention

12. Novak Djokovic – 2,940 – Out of contention

13. Tommy Paul – 2,925 – Out of contention

READ MORE: Taylor Fritz calls for a major Paris Masters change after beating Arthur Fils

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