Taylor Fritz missed out on securing the final berth at the upcoming ATP Finals in Turin after failing to capitalize on two match points during a three-set loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the Paris Masters quarter-finals.
Missed Opportunities and ATP Finals Lineup
Fritz needed a victory over Alcaraz to reach the semi-finals in France and claim the final qualification spot ahead of Spain’s Rafael Jodar. Despite taking a tight opening set and building a lead in the second, the 29-year-old American was unable to close out the match, eventually falling 6-7 (10-12), 7-5, 6-3.
After breaking Alcaraz to take a 4-3 lead in the second set, Fritz held serve to reach 5-3. He earned his first match point on Alcaraz’s serve, and a second in the following game on his own serve at 5-4. Alcaraz rallied to break back, took the set, and dominated the final set to seal the victory. The loss leaves Fritz with just two wins in eight career meetings against Alcaraz.
The result ensures Jodar completes the eight-man field for the ATP Finals, which take place from November 15 to 22. Alcaraz, who has yet to win the end-of-season tournament, had already qualified alongside world No. 1 Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli, Arthur Fils, Ben Shelton, and Frances Tiafoe.
Earlier in the day, Tommy Paul’s qualification hopes ended when he was defeated 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 by fellow American Ben Shelton. Paul’s elimination automatically secured a spot in Turin for Tiafoe. Fritz was attempting to join Shelton and Tiafoe as the third American player in the field.
Italian hopes at the season finale will rest on Cobolli. Jannik Sinner ended his season early due to a knee injury that has kept him out of action since winning Wimbledon in July. Sinner also recently announced an end to his five-year coaching relationship with Darren Cahill.
Paris Masters Semi-Final Matchups
Alcaraz advances to face Casper Ruud in the Paris semi-finals after the Norwegian defeated Portugal’s Nuno Borges 7-6 (7-5), 6-4. Speaking to Sky Sports after his comeback, Alcaraz said: “I tried not to let myself down in those difficult moments – to stay strong mentally.”
“We played incredible tennis, both of us, and I used the energy of the people to give them what they wanted to watch. To entertain them,” Alcaraz added.
In the other semi-final, Shelton will take on French player Luca Van Assche. Van Assche secured his spot in the last four by defeating Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata—who had previously eliminated Novak Djokovic—by a score of 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 7-5. A victory for both Alcaraz and Shelton would set up a rematch of their five-set US Open quarter-final tie.
