Alcaraz beats Fritz in Paris Masters quarterfinal, ending his ATP Finals hopes

Carlos Alcaraz came back from a set down to beat Taylor Fritz 6-7, 7-5, 6-3 in a Paris Masters quarterfinal on Friday, ending Fritz's hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals. The match lasted 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Fritz held the advantage

Fritz won the first set in a long tiebreaker and led 5-3 in the second set, with the momentum on his side. He then had two match points. Alcaraz, however, raised his level and got the crowd behind him, saving those chances and taking the second set before winning the decider.

Fritz needed the victory to secure his place at the season-ending event. Despite the result, the quality of play was high, and many in the stands were disappointed for him, especially given that he had battled a knee injury that kept him out of action for a period this year.

A gesture at the net

Alcaraz was aware of what was at stake for Fritz. When the two players met at the net after the match, Alcaraz apologized to him. Fritz responded with a smile and told Alcaraz that he was too good. Observers described the exchange as a fine example of sportsmanship between two players who had produced a high level of tennis in a demanding contest.

Shelton leads the American qualifiers

The result also affected the American race for Turin. Tommy Paul lost to Ben Shelton in Paris, ending his own chance of making the ATP Finals. Shelton finishes 2026 as the top-ranked American man for the first time, a year-end position that Fritz had held from 2021 to 2025.

Shelton and Frances Tiafoe are the American singles qualifiers for the ATP Finals in Turin. The event features the eight highest-ranked players of the 2026 season. For Tiafoe, it will be his first appearance at the tournament.