Carlos Alcaraz moved within touching distance of reclaiming the year-end World No 1 title after securing a determined three-set victory over Taylor Fritz at the ATP Finals 2025 in Turin on Tuesday. The 22-year-old Spaniard triumphed 6-7 (2), 7-5, 6-3, showcasing both mental grit and physical endurance in a thrilling contest that lasted more than two and a half hours.
With the win, Alcaraz extended his unbeaten start in the Jimmy Connors group to 2-0, guaranteeing a place in the semifinals. One more victory — either in his final group-stage match against Lorenzo Musetti or in a semifinal clash — would seal the year-end World No 1 ranking for the second time in his career.
“It’s really hard not to think about being number one,” Alcaraz said post-match. “But I’m focusing on my game, on staying composed and enjoying the process. Matches like this test everything — your mind, your body, your spirit.”
Fritz gave the Spaniard a stern challenge, firing 14 aces and creating multiple break-point chances in the second set. However, Alcaraz’s resilience and consistency turned the tide. He struck 47 winners compared to Fritz’s 38, dominating the closing stages to complete the comeback.
“It was a tough fight,” Alcaraz added. “I stayed strong when it mattered most and saved some big points.”
For Fritz, the defeat was made harder by a flare-up of his knee tendinitis, which limited his movement late in the match. “My knee is cooked,” he admitted. “I had chances in the second set and didn’t take them.”
In the same group, Lorenzo Musetti, who replaced Novak Djokovic following his withdrawal due to a shoulder injury, beat Alex de Minaur in three tight sets to stay in contention. Meanwhile, Italian star Jannik Sinner remains mathematically in the race for No 1, but he must win all remaining matches to surpass Alcaraz.
