Taylor Fritz had two match points on Carlos Alcaraz on Friday in his Paris Masters quarterfinal. He had taken the first set in a marathon tiebreaker and had all of the momentum leading 5-3 in the second set.
Then, as if a light switch went off, Alcaraz raised his level and got the crowd involved. Fritz needed the win to qualify for the ATP Finasl, but 2 hours and 45 minutes later, it was not to be as Alcaraz won the match in three sets, 6-7, 7-5, 6-3.
The quality of the tennis was high, but many were sad for Fritz who came so close to making the ATP Finals in a year where he battled a knee injury that kept him out of the game for some time. Alcaraz was well aware of what was on the line for Fritz and was ready to talk about it when they met at the net after match point.
MORE: Madison Keys, Taylor Fritz bared their souls in hearbreaking US Open press conferences
Alcaraz apologized to Fritz
The first Alcaraz said to Sinner was that he was sorry. Fritz smiled at him and said he was too good.
Sportsmanship personified between two players who produced a high level of tennis in a grueling match.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tennis TV (@tennistv)
This loss will sting for Fritz, but he knows how to manage the emotional highs and lows of the game.
The Alcaraz Magic Show continues 🪄
He saves multiple match points in the second set to defeat Fritz in Paris.
#RolexParisMasters https://t.co/gYSabULmyc
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) November 6, 2026
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MORE: What does Ben Shelton gain by hiring Carlos Alcaraz’s former coach?
Tommy Paul also knocked out of ATP Finals
Paul lost to Ben Shelton, who finishes the year as the top ranked American for the first time, in Paris ending his bid to make the ATP Finals.
Year-end No.1 American men:
2021 – Taylor Fritz
2022 – Taylor Fritz
2023 – Taylor Fritz
2024 – Taylor Fritz
2025 – Taylor Fritz
2026 – Ben Shelton— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) November 6, 2026
He seemed unbothered about the outcome, either way. His offseason plan was to go fishing. After an eleven month season and a post Wimbledon wedding to longtime girlfriend Paige Lorenze, Paul is ready for some downtime.
Shelton and Frances Tiafoe are the American singles qualifiers for the ATP Finals in Turin. It is Tiafoe’s first time playing in the event which features the top eight players.
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