Carlos Alcaraz produced a remarkable comeback at the Paris Masters on Friday, saving two match points to defeat American Taylor Fritz 6-7 (10-12) 7-5 6-3 and secure a semi-final spot in the French capital. The victory for the Spanish star also carried significant ramifications for the season-ending ATP Finals, handing his compatriot Rafael Jodar the final qualification berth for the tournament in Turin.
Fritz edged a tightly contested opening set by taking the tie-break 12-10 after both players squandered opportunities to claim the advantage. The American then seized control in the second set, moving a break ahead and earning two separate match points while holding a 5-3 lead on Alcaraz's serve and a 5-4 advantage on his own.
Alcaraz dug deep to fend off both match points, breaking Fritz twice to level the second set before dominating the decider. After establishing a 3-1 lead in the third set, the Spaniard closed out the contest with a powerful forehand to seal victory in front of the Paris crowd.
"I tried not to let myself down in those difficult moments – to stay strong mentally," Alcaraz said after the match. "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."
The defeat extinguished Fritz's hopes of reaching the ATP Finals, which will run from 15 to 22 November at Turin's Inalpi Arena. Earlier in the day, Tommy Paul also saw his qualification hopes dashed following a 6-4 4-6 6-3 defeat against fellow American Ben Shelton.
Paul's loss guaranteed a spot at the season finale for American Frances Tiafoe. Both 28-year-old Tiafoe and 20-year-old Jodar will make their debut appearances at the elite eight-man year-end championship.
The confirmed singles field for Turin features Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli, Arthur Fils, Alcaraz, Shelton, Tiafoe, and Jodar. Jodar turned professional at the start of 2026 after capturing three ATP Challenger titles in 2025 and his maiden ATP Tour title in Marrakech in April.
Alcaraz will continue his Paris Masters campaign in the semi-finals, where he is set to face either Casper Ruud or Nuno Borges for a place in the title match.
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