PARIS — Carlos Alcaraz defied the odds by saving two match points against Taylor Fritz, securing his spot in the semifinals of the Paris Masters on Friday, thereby finalizing the lineup for the ATP Finals.
Alcaraz found himself in a precarious position during the second set, down at 5-3 and 5-4, but he rallied back spectacularly, saving the crucial match point with a stunning forehand pass. Ultimately, he triumphed with a score of 6-7 (10), 7-5, 6-3.
“In those tough moments of the second set, I stayed determined not to give up,” Alcaraz shared. “I focused on maintaining my mental strength to save those break and match points.”
“Serving at 3-5, we played some incredible tennis. I drew energy from the crowd and aimed to provide them with the thrilling match they came to see. Today’s experience is truly unforgettable,” he added.
This marks Alcaraz’s inaugural appearance in the Paris semifinals. After struggling with injuries and fatigue throughout the year, the seven-time Grand Slam champion emerged victoriously in Vienna last week and appears more invigorated than many of his competitors at this late stage in the season.
Meanwhile, Ben Shelton also made his semifinals debut in Paris after an intense all-American clash against Tommy Paul, winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
With an impressive display that included 19 aces, Shelton successfully converted two out of four break points, marking his third victory over Paul in their five meetings.
By defeating Paul, Shelton ended his opponent’s aspirations of qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin this month. Consequently, Frances Tiafoe secured his spot and will make his debut at the tournament, while Fritz’s defeat allowed Rafael Jodar to clinch the eighth and final qualification slot.
The entire cast for the ATP Finals is now set, featuring top performers like Alexander Zverev, Alcaraz, Shelton, Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli, and Arthur Fils.
Next up for Shelton is a match against local favorite Luca Van Assche, who outlasted qualifier Rinky Hijikata in nearly three hours with a score of 6-4, 6-7 (4), 7-5. Alcaraz, on the other hand, will face off against either Casper Ruud or Nuno Borges.
