Carlos Alcaraz rallied past Taylor Fritz 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 6-3 in 2 hours and 48 minutes after a thrilling three-set match in front of a packed pack inside the Inalpi Arena in Turin. Alcaraz and Fritz entertained spectactors with the best match of the tournament so far.
Alcaraz is 2-0 in Jimmy Connors Group. The top seed can qualify for the semifinals if Alex De Minaur beats Lorenzo Musetti in the evening session. The Spanish player has moved to within one win of securing ATP Year-End number 1 spot for the second time in his career. Jannik Sinner has to defend his title unbeaten to have any chance of ending the season as the world number 1 for the second straight year.
Fritz hit three aces and saved two break points to hold serve in the first game of the opening set. Alcaraz fended off three break points in the second game to draw level to 1-1.
Fritz was broken for the first time at this tournament in the third game, but he broke straight back in the fourth game to draw level to 2-2. Alcaraz fended off two more break points in the eighth game, as the first set went to the tie-break.
Fritz earned two mini-breaks and sealed the first set 7-2 with his sixth ace.
Fritz earned his first break point of the second set in the fifth game with his forehand.
Alcaraz stunned the crowd when he saved the break point at 2-2 by winning an epic rally before charging the net to hit a volley winner. The Spaniard saved a second break point with an ace and held a 21-minute service game when Fritz fired long. Fritz fought through a tough eighth game when he saved a break point at 4-4 when Alcaraz netted a return on break point.
Alcaraz hit a backhand winner at 0-15 that clipped the net cord. The Roland Garros and US Open champion earned three set points in the 12th game, when Fritz made two unforced errors. The 22-year-old Spaniard converted his second set point with a passing shot to win the second set 7-5 forcing the match to the third set.
Both players stayed on serve in the first five games of the third set. Alcaraz earned the decisive break in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead. Fritz saved three match points in the eighth game from 3-5 before Alcaraz served out the win at love, as Fritz hit a backhand wide in the ninth game.
Alcaraz holds a record of 5 wins to 1 defeat against Fritz, who beat the Spaniard at the Laver Cup last September.
“I’m really happy that I was able to come back, find my good tennis. I just tried to make the most of the opportunities that he gave to me. I think we played great tennis, some great points”, said Alcaraz.
