Alcaraz Saves Two Match Points to Reach Paris Semifinals

Carlos Alcaraz produced a remarkable comeback against Taylor Fritz to reach the Paris Masters semifinals on Friday, saving two match points before securing a 6-7 (10), 7-5, 6-3 victory. Ben Shelton also booked his place in the last four with a win over fellow American Tommy Paul, while the remaining qualification spots for the ATP Finals in Turin were confirmed.

Alcaraz’s victory marked his first appearance in the Paris Masters semifinals. The Spaniard showed considerable mental strength after finding himself close to elimination in the second set, turning the match around with an impressive performance in the closing stages.

Carlos Alcaraz saves two match points to defeat Taylor Fritz

Alcaraz faced a major challenge against Fritz, who had two opportunities to close out the contest in the second set. The American was match point up at 5-3 and 5-4, putting the seven-time Grand Slam champion under significant pressure.

However, Alcaraz refused to give up. He saved the second match point with an outstanding forehand pass and continued to fight his way back into the contest. After taking the second set 7-5, the Spaniard carried his momentum into the decider and eventually completed a 6-3 victory.

Reflecting on the comeback, Alcaraz credited his mental strength and ability to remain composed during the most difficult moments of the match.

“I tried not to let myself down in the difficult moments in the second set,” Alcaraz said. “I tried to stay strong mentally and save those break points and match points.”

The Spaniard also highlighted the importance of the game at 3-5 in the second set, when he produced high-quality tennis with support from the Paris crowd.

“I would say 3-5 serving, that game we played incredible tennis. I used the people and the energy and gave them what they really wanted to watch and I am really happy to play for one and a half hours more to entertain them. The feeling I have today is unmatched.”

Alcaraz reaches first Paris Masters semifinal

The victory secured Alcaraz’s first-ever place in the Paris Masters semifinals. The seven-time Grand Slam champion has experienced injury and fatigue issues during the season, but his recent results suggest that he is finding form at an important stage of the tennis calendar.

Alcaraz won the Vienna title last week and appears fresher than several of his competitors as the season approaches its conclusion. His comeback against Fritz also demonstrated his ability to handle pressure and produce his best tennis when facing elimination.

The Spaniard will next face either Casper Ruud or Nuno Borges for a place in the Paris final.

Ben Shelton defeats Tommy Paul to reach Paris semifinals

Ben Shelton joined Alcaraz in the last four after winning an all-American quarterfinal against Tommy Paul. Shelton secured a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 victory to reach his first Paris Masters semifinal.

The American delivered an impressive serving performance, firing 19 aces during the contest. He also converted two of his four break-point opportunities to overcome Paul in three sets.

The victory marked Shelton’s third win in five meetings with Paul. It also ended Paul’s hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin later this month.

Shelton will now face French player Luca Van Assche in the semifinals. Van Assche secured his place in the last four after defeating qualifier Rinky Hijikata in a match lasting almost three hours.

The Frenchman won 6-4, 6-7 (4), 7-5, showing resilience after losing the second-set tiebreak before eventually closing out the deciding set.

ATP Finals field confirmed after Paris Masters results

The results in Paris also finalised the eight-player field for the ATP Finals in Turin. Shelton’s victory over Paul ended the latter’s qualification hopes, allowing another American, Frances Tiafoe, to secure a place in the season-ending tournament. Tiafoe will make his debut at the event.

Fritz’s defeat against Alcaraz also confirmed Rafael Jodar as the eighth and final qualifier. The result completed the lineup for the tournament, which brings together the leading players of the season.

The other confirmed qualifiers are world No. 1 Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli and Arthur Fils.

Paris Masters semifinals set up crucial final-four battles

With Alcaraz and Shelton through to the semifinals, attention now turns to their next opponents. Shelton will meet Van Assche, who advanced after his hard-fought victory over Hijikata. Alcaraz, meanwhile, will face either Ruud or Borges.

Alcaraz’s comeback against Fritz and Shelton’s victory over Paul have added further significance to the closing stages of the Paris Masters. Alongside the semifinal places, the results have also settled the ATP Finals qualification race, bringing the season-ending tournament’s eight-player lineup into focus.