Alcaraz saves two match points to deny Fritz and send Jódar to ATP Finals

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Carlos Alcaraz saved two match points to beat Taylor Fritz 6–7(10), 7–5, 6–3 on Friday and reach the Paris Masters semi-finals for the first time. The comeback ended Fritz’s ATP Finals hopes and gave Rafael Jódar the last place in Turin.

Fritz needed victory to overtake Jódar in the qualification race. Instead, Jódar will make his debut at the season-ending tournament, completing the eight-player singles field for the event from 15 to 22 November.

The American had two opportunities to finish the match in the second set. His first match point came on Alcaraz’s serve with Fritz leading 5–3; the second arrived in the following game as he served for victory at 5–4. Alcaraz survived both.

The escape followed a difficult end to the opening set for the second seed. Alcaraz had served for it at 5–4 but was broken back, and Fritz eventually took a prolonged tie-break 12–10 after saving three set points.

Having recovered from 5–3 down in the second set, Alcaraz won four successive games to level the contest. He then established a 4–1 advantage in the decider and held on to complete the turnaround at the Plenitude Arena.

Alcaraz will face Casper Ruud on Saturday. The Norwegian beat Portuguese lucky loser Nuno Borges 7–6(5), 6–4 in the final quarter-final. Ben Shelton and France’s Luca Van Assche meet in the other semi-final.

Jódar joins Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Shelton, Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli, Arthur Fils and Frances Tiafoe in the ATP Finals line-up. The ATP confirmed that Jódar, Cobolli, Fils and Tiafoe will all be appearing for the first time at the tournament in Turin’s Inalpi Arena.

Sources

• Paris Masters: Alcaraz saves two match points to reach his first Paris semi-final
• Sky Sports: Fritz defeat confirms Jódar’s final ATP Finals place (2026-11-06)
• ATP Finals: Jódar completes the eight-player singles field
• Tennis Majors: Alcaraz–Fritz match report and Ruud semi-final confirmation (2026-11-06)