ATP Finals live: Alcaraz completes stunning comeback to beat Fritz and seize control of No 1 race
Alcaraz beat Fritz in almost three hours, 6-7 (2-7), 7-5, 6-3, to win an all-time classic at the ATP Finals
Carlos Alcaraz battled from a set down to defeat Taylor Fritz in an enthralling ATP Finals classic and take control of the race for the year-end No 1.
Alcaraz overturned an impressive start from Fritz to win an epic contest 6-7 (2-7), 7-5, 6-3 in two hours and 48 minutes for his second victory of the round-robin.
After winning the first-set tiebreak, Fritz pushed for the break in the second set, bringing a series of stunning points from Alcaraz as he instead forced the decider.
Alcaraz surged towards the finish line and now requires just one more win against Lorenzo Musetti on Thursday to secure the year-end No 1 ahead of Jannik Sinner.
Alcaraz will be assured of a semi-final place if Alex de Minaur defeats Musetti in the evening match, while Fritz remains on one win for the tournament.
Meanwhile, the ATP and Italian tennis federation have confirmed that two spectators died at the ATP Finals on Monday due to separate medical emergencies.
Follow the latest updates from the ATP Finals and Alcaraz v Fritz, below
Carlos Alcaraz prepared for ‘big day’ as epic ATP Finals win sets up bid for World No 1
Alcaraz can secure the year-end No 1 for the first time since 2022 as he faces Lorenzo Musetti in Turin.
Alcaraz prepared for ‘big day’ as epic ATP Finals win sets up bid for World No 1
Alcaraz-Fritz one of the 'top 5' matches of the year
Tim Henman tells Sky Sports that Alcaraz’s win over Fritz was “one of the top-5 matches of the year” as the Spaniard battled from behind in almost three hours of gripping drama.
“Two of the best players in the world going head to head and just throwing everything at it,” Henman said. “From the word go, the quality, the intensity, the ball striking was just amazing.
“Alcaraz, we just heard him talking about his relief of finding the solutions against Fritz, he was a little bit self-critical, but I think so much of it was about the quality of Fritz.
“Every opportunity he got to pull the trigger, he just went for his shots, and Alcaraz was up against it for the vast majority of that match.”
Carlos Alcaraz ahead of 'big day' as he bids for No 1
Carlos Alcaraz said he will prepare for “big day” ahead of facing Lorenzo Musetti on Thursday, with victory securing the year-end No 1 ranking.
“It's gonna be a really big match for me. I will try not let the nerves [affect me].I will try to control the emotions, to control myself.
“I will try to think about feeling much better than today with the shots, with the set, with with everything, but obviously it's going to be a big day.
“So right now I'm gonna enjoy this win. I'm gonna try to rest as much as I can just to be ready for for the next match”
Carlos Alcaraz after his win against Taylor Fritz
“It was pretty tight. I think I was running more than him. I was struggling more than him. I think the first set, I didn't serve well, and I think he was playing really, really, comfortable from the baseline, with everything,
“I was really relieved after the win because everything that I went through during the match, physically, I didn't feel the ball as well as the first round, but I’m really happy that I found the way to fight, to find the weaknesses from him, and really happy that I got that I got the win at the end.”
What Alcaraz's win means for year-end No 1 race
Even if Jannik Sinner wins the ATP Finals undefeated, Carlos Alcaraz can keep the World No 1 spot by taking at least 500 ranking points from the tournament.
This could be done by winning all three round-robin matches, or by winning at least one of his round-robin matches and also winning his semi-final.
Alcaraz now has two wins after beating Alex de Minaur in straight-sets and coming back against Taylor Fritz in a three-set thriller.
He can secure the year-end No 1 by beating Lorenzo Musetti on Thursday night.
What Alcaraz's win means for ATP Finals qualification
Carlos Alcaraz will qualify for the semi-finals if Alex de Minaur beats Lorenzo Musetti tonight.
That would mean Fritz faces De Minaur with the chance to advance on Thursday.
Alcaraz can’t go through tonight if Musetti beats De Minaur.
Carlos Alcaraz beats Taylor Fritz in ATP Finals classic
Alcaraz is looking heavy on his feet after exchanging a hug with Fritz at the net. There’s plenty of respect between the two but Alcaraz knows he was pushed all the way there, and he applauds the American off the court.
Fritz was so close from the best win of his career there but Alcaraz pulled away.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 7-5 6-3 Taylor Fritz
A massive forehand winner down the line brings up three more match points for Alcaraz.
Fritz goes wide on the backhand and there it is!
Amazing. In almost three hours, Alcaraz completes the comeback. Fritz played the match of his life I think, but Alcaraz found the extra gear with his back against the wall deep in the second set. What a contest.
Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz take a bow 👏
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) November 11, 2025
What a match that was! pic.twitter.com/5TZr6ZB8Wh
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 7-5 5-3 Taylor Fritz
Fritz hangs on! Three match points saved. Alcaraz will serve for it next.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 7-5 5-2 Taylor Fritz*
Alcaraz targets the Fritz backhand as he moves inside the baseline and suddenly it’s two match points for Alcaraz!
Fritz saves the first two, but Alcaraz produces a sublime leap to put away a backhand overhead to bring up a third.
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