Carlos Alcaraz Saves Match Points to Defeat Taylor Fritz and Reach Paris Masters Semi-Finals
Carlos Alcaraz Defeats Taylor Fritz in Paris Masters Quarter-Final Thriller
Carlos Alcaraz fended off two match points to defeat Taylor Fritz 6-7 (10/12), 7-5, 6-3 on Friday, advancing to the Paris Masters semi-finals for the first time, afp.com reported.
The 23-year-old Spaniard secured the victory in two hours and 43 minutes, claiming only two points more than his opponent, according to tennisworldusa.org. The loss eliminated the world number 12 American from contention for the season-ending ATP Finals.
Alcaraz Extended Grunt! 😮💨@carlosalcaraz @RolexPMasters pic.twitter.com/N4xR5hm4Q3
Alcaraz seized an early advantage by breaking in the fifth game of the opening set. Fritz recovered by breaking back at 5-5 to force a tie-break. Both players missed set points before Alcaraz hit a forehand wide, handing the opening frame to the Californian.
In the second set, Fritz earned a break in the seventh game to pull ahead. Alcaraz saved a match point on his own serve in the ninth game and a second match point in the next game with a passing shot. He then broke Fritz twice consecutively to force a decisive third set, mirroring his comeback win over Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros last season.
Alcaraz seized control in the fourth game of the decider, breaking Fritz and holding serve to seal the match with a powerful forehand.
Ben Shelton Reaches Semi-Finals as American Contingent Shapes ATP Finals Lineup
Ben Shelton advanced to the semi-finals by defeating compatriot Tommy Paul 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in an attritional three-set encounter, according to malaysia.news.yahoo.com. The 24-year-old became the first American to reach the last four at the Paris 1000-level event since John Isner and Jack Sock reached that stage in 2017.
Paul’s defeat ended his pursuit of a first career Masters title and eliminated his chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin. Frances Tiafoe, who exited the tournament in the second round on Wednesday, secured his qualification for the season finale, which runs from November 15 to 22.
Shelton will play Luca Van Assche in the semi-finals after the French player ended Rinky Hijikata’s run from the qualifying rounds.