11/06/2026 04:48:00
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11/06 16:45 CST Alacaraz saves 2 match points against Fritz to reach Paris
Masters semifinals with Shelton
Alacaraz saves 2 match points against Fritz to reach Paris Masters semifinals
with Shelton
PARIS (AP) --- Carlos Alcaraz saved two match points against Taylor Fritz to
reach the Paris Masters semifinals on Friday and the field for the ATP Finals
was settled.
Alcaraz was match point down in the second set at 5-3 and 5-4, saving the
second with a forehand pass. He finally won 6-7 (10), 7-5, 6-3.
"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.
"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 will feature in the Paris semifinals for the first time. The seven-time
Grand Slam champion has been hampered by injury and fatigue this year. But he
won the Vienna title last week and looks fresher than many of his rivals at
this stage of the season.
Ben Shelton also reached his first Paris semifinal after winning an
all-American matchup against Tommy Paul 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
Shelton, with 19 aces, converted two of four break points. It was his third win
in five meetings between them.
Shelton ended Paul's hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin this
month. As a result, another American player, Frances Tiafoe, clinched a spot
and will debut at the tournament. Fritz's loss qualified Rafael Jodar in the
eighth and last spot.
The other qualifiers for the Finals are top-ranked Alexander Zverev, Alcaraz,
Shelton, Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli and Arthur Fils.
Shelton will next play local Luca Van Assche, who took almost three hours to
defeat qualifier Rinky Hijikata 6-4, 6-7 (4), 7-5. Alcaraz will take on Casper
Ruud or Nuno Borges.
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