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Carlos Alcaraz showed his class as he apologised to Taylor Fritz after reaching a maiden Paris Masters semi-final by the skin of his teeth. The No. 2 seed was in huge trouble when he trailed Fritz by a set and a break. The American had two match points in the second set – one on Alcaraz’s serve at 5-3, and another on his own serve in the very next game. But the Spanish star pulled off a sensational comeback, winning 6-7(10) 7-5 6-4.
And it’s a double blow for Fritz, who needed to win the match in order to qualify for the ATP Finals. But the race is over, and Alcaraz’s victory means that fellow Spaniard, Rafael Jodar, will make his debut at the season-ending championships in what is his first year on tour.
Alcaraz knew exactly what was on the line for the 11th seed on Friday evening, and apologised as soon as they met at the net to shake hands. “Alcaraz actually apologising to the American there,” commentator Adam Fielder said.
“Two match points he had that would have guaranteed his place in Turin. But Alcaraz into the semi-finals in the French capital for the first time in his career. And his countryman, Rafael Jodar, needs to buy him a drink, I think, because we will be seeing Jodar in Turin in just over a week’s time.”
The second seed let his excitement show afterwards as he advanced to the last four here for the first time in his career. “Semis you feel really goooooood. Love you Paris,” Alcaraz wrote on the camera lens.
The seven-time Major champion does love it in Paris. He won the French Open in 2024 and 2025 – saving multiple match points in last year’s final, too – but could not return to defend his crown this year as he was sidelined by a wrist injury.
But Alcaraz was absolutely delighted to give the Parisian crowd a show, and admitted that he fed off of their energy as he came back from the brink. “Well, I tried not to let myself down. You know, in those difficult moments that I had in the second set, I tried to stay strong mentally and tried to save those problems, those break points, those match balls down,” he explained.
“I would say 5-3 serving [in the second set], I had one or two match balls [to save]. I don’t remember exactly right now. But I think that game, we played incredible tennis, both of us, great, great points.
“I think for the people to stand up, to bring the energy into the match, I used [it]. I used the people, I used the energy. I just, would say I gave them what they really wanted to watch today and I’m just really happy that I could play for one-and-a-half hours more for them to entertain them a little bit.
“I was an incredible night. The feeling I got today is, I would say, unmatched. I’m just happy to give myself another chance to step on the court tomorrow and save every chance he got to win the match, and kept fighting.”
The first set had been a rollercoaster in itself. Alcaraz broke early and served for the set, but got broken. Both men had several set points in the marathon tiebreak, and the No. 2 seed made some costly mistakes as Fritz took the lead.
The finish line was in sight for the American as he broke in the middle of set two, seeming to rise to the occasion of playing for a place in the ATP Finals. But everything changed when Alcaraz saved a match point while trailing 3-5.
The 23-year-old hit what was arguably the best point of the whole season, racing to the side of the court to chase the ball down and responding with a dropshot winner that his opponent couldn’t get to. Even Fritz and his team could only laugh in disbelief.
But the smiles quickly dropped when the No. 11 seed failed to close out the match on his own serve, and suddenly found himself in a third and final set at gone 10pm local time. Fritz held his towel to his face during the changeover, looking bewildered.
Alcaraz was on a roll, and it felt like the entire La Defense Arena was behind him. He broke in the fourth game and then held to love, racing ahead after what had been such a close contest, while Fritz’s first-serve percentage continued to drop.
The 29-year-old had one opportunity to break back at 4-2, but he couldn’t take it. And Alcaraz went on to seal the victory, saving match points to get a win for the seventh time in his career.
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