PARIS : World number two Carlos Alcaraz saved two match points to battle back from the brink and beat Taylor Fritz 6-7(10) 7-5 6-3 on Friday, reaching the Paris Masters semi-finals for the first time and ending the American’s hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals.
World number 12 Fritz was close to securing only his second victory in eight meetings with the Spaniard but failed to convert his opportunities, missing out on the final place at the season-ending tournament. Spain’s Rafael Jodar will take that spot instead.
Alcaraz will face either Casper Ruud or Nuno Borges for a place in the final.
The Spaniard had also squandered three set points in the opening set before losing the tiebreak, having initially taken an early break and looked in control.
Alcaraz, who received a walkover in the previous round after Matteo Berrettini withdrew with an arm injury, struggled with his consistency as Fritz fought back to force the tiebreak and clinched it on his second set point.
The American continued to put pressure on Alcaraz, who saved four consecutive break points after falling 0-40 behind at 1-1 in the second set. Fritz eventually broke serve to move 4-3 ahead before earning two match points.
But Alcaraz held firm, finding another level with the Paris crowd behind him to take the second set and seize control of the decider. He raced into a 4-1 lead in the third before sealing victory on his first match point.
Earlier, third seed Ben Shelton defeated fellow American Tommy Paul 6-4 4-6 6-3 to reach the semi-finals, where he will meet France’s Luca van Assche.
Shelton’s victory also ended Paul’s hopes of securing an ATP Finals place, allowing Frances Tiafoe to qualify.
Neither player earned a break point in a closely contested opening set until Shelton created two opportunities at 5-4 after Paul committed two double faults. The American converted the second with a return winner down the line.
Paul broke Shelton in the opening game of the second set and held on to level the match, forcing a decider.
Shelton missed an early break opportunity in the third set but maintained the pressure before breaking Paul and moving 4-1 ahead. He went on to close out the match and book his place in the last four.
