Seven-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz is thru to the Paris Masters semifinals for the primary time in his profession.
Printed On 7 Nov 2026
Carlos Alcaraz produced one other miracle within the French capital because the seven-time Grand Slam champion fended off two match factors to beat Taylor Fritz and attain the Paris Masters semifinals on Friday.
The 23-year-old fought again to win 6-7 (10/12), 7-5, 6-3 and advance to the final 4 of the occasion for the primary time.
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He’ll subsequent tackle former world quantity two Casper Ruud on Saturday after the Norwegian eradicated Portuguese fortunate loser Nuno Borges 7-6 (7/5), 6-4.
In scenes paying homage to his iconic French Open final comeback win over Jannik Sinner final season, when he saved three championship factors, Alcaraz once more wowed the group in Paris as he snatched one other inconceivable victory from the jaws of defeat.
“In all probability this match goes to be one of the particular matches that I ever performed, and I’m going to recollect this match for a very long time,” Alcaraz informed reporters.
Regardless of solely taking part in one match en path to the quarterfinals, Alcaraz confirmed no indicators of rust as he seized his first break alternative within the fifth recreation of the opening set, whipping a forehand passing shot across the stranded Fritz.
The Spaniard’s serve then began to wobble, and Fritz pounced to interrupt to like and degree at 5-5.
In a tie-break of thrills and spills, each gamers had set factors come and go earlier than Alcaraz dumped a forehand extensive to cede the opener to the Californian.
After recovering from 0-40 to carry early within the second set, Alcaraz pointed to his ear and held his fist aloft in a bid to get the Parisian crowd going – the primary however not final callback to his five-set Roland Garros epic.
However he continued to battle to make inroads on Fritz’s serve, and it was the American who produced the primary break of the set within the seventh recreation.
Alcaraz staved off a match level after which secured a maintain that stored his marketing campaign alive with a sensational backhand slice from properly extensive of his personal tramlines.
“After that recreation… I began to take pleasure in it as a result of I simply thought I pulled off nice photographs, nice factors; I began to smile; I began to deliver the power from the individuals to the match,” the previous world primary stated.
A wonderful passing shot saved a second match level within the subsequent recreation earlier than Alcaraz worn out the break after which accomplished his Houdini act by breaking Fritz once more to arrange a decider.
The rampant Murcian had a chokehold on the match and went in entrance 3-1 within the third set when Fritz pushed a volley extensive.
Alcaraz nonetheless needed to save break factors in a match that at all times threatened one other twist however, because it rumbled in the direction of a conclusion, he introduced up two match factors on his personal serve, sealing the primary with a robust forehand that Fritz might solely get a body on.
Shelton additionally advances to semis
Earlier, Ben Shelton edged Tommy Paul 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in an all-American quarterfinal.
The defeats for Paul and Fritz ended each gamers’ hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals, with American Frances Tiafoe and Spanish 20-year-old Rafael Jodar now set to make their debuts on the season-ending showpiece, which can run from November 15-22 in Turin.
“Frances has had an impressive yr. Certainly one of my finest mates, and to see him make Turin for the primary time is superb,” Shelton stated of the 28-year-old Finals debutant.
Shelton will meet Luca Van Assche within the final 4 after the Frenchman ended Australian Rinky Hijikata’s fairytale run from qualifying to the final eight.
