ATP Finals: Carlos Alcaraz outlasts Taylor Fritz in three-set thriller to stay perfect in Turin

Carlos Alcaraz edged Taylor Fritz 6–7(2), 7–5, 6–3 at the Nitto ATP Finals on Tuesday (Nov. 11), surviving two hours and 48 minutes of high-risk shotmaking to move to 2–0 in the Jimmy Connors Group and push within touching distance of the semifinals. Fritz, who arrived with momentum after a strong opening win, matched the world No. 1 blow for blow before Alcaraz found a late surge in sets two and three.

Alcaraz vs. Fritz: momentum swings decide a classic

Fritz snatched a tight opening set in a tiebreak behind fearless first-strike forehands and a rock-solid serving pattern that kept Alcaraz off balance. The second set hinged on razor-thin margins: Alcaraz pressed return positions, took the ball earlier off both wings, and finally converted a late break to level. By the decider, the Spaniard’s weight of shot and depth began to tell—he broke for 4–2, consolidated, and closed with composure.

Key numbers

• Score: Alcaraz d. Fritz 6–7(2), 7–5, 6–3

• Time: ~2h 48m

• Baseline balance: Alcaraz won more of the extended rallies as the match wore on; Fritz dominated early behind first serves and forehand finishes.

• Series: Alcaraz now leads their head-to-head 5–1.

What the result means for the Jimmy Connors Group

At 2–0, Alcaraz controls his path to the last four and can qualify as early as tonight depending on the Alex de Minaur vs. Lorenzo Musetti result. Fritz drops to 1–1 but remains firmly in contention—round-robin play often comes down to final-day permutations on wins, sets, and even games won.

Group snapshot (singles)

• Alcaraz: 2–0

• Fritz: 1–1

• de Minaur: 0–1 entering today’s session

• Musetti: 0–1 entering today’s session

(Standings will update after the evening match; qualification scenarios may hinge on straight-set vs. three-set results.)

Why Alcaraz pulled it out

• Return recalibration: After absorbing the first-strike barrage, Alcaraz shifted return positions and took more backhands up the line to break Fritz’s inside-out forehand patterns.

• Physical edge late: Rally tolerance and court coverage favored Alcaraz in the third; he turned neutral exchanges into offense a beat sooner.

• Net choices: Selective forays forward—especially behind the second-serve return—helped puncture Fritz’s rhythm.

What Fritz can take forward

Despite the loss, Fritz’s first-set level was elite: heavy serve locations, early forehand finishing, and confident backhand changes of direction. If he sustains that aggression while tightening second-serve points, he remains a semifinal threat—particularly if the final group match becomes a virtual quarterfinal.

Big-picture stakes in Turin

Alcaraz is chasing his first ATP Finals crown and remains in the mix to lock down year-end No. 1 with a deep run. His two wins so far—both demanding—suggest the indoor learning curve is bending his way. For Fritz, the equation is clear: split the day’s disappointment from his overall form, reset quickly, and treat the next match as a knockout.

What’s next

• Evening session: de Minaur vs. Musetti—result impacts Alcaraz’s early qualification and sets the table for a high-pressure final round of group play.

• Final round-robin day: Alcaraz faces Musetti; Fritz meets de Minaur. Expect scoreboard math to loom large—straight-set wins can be tie-breakers.

Takeaway

On a day that demanded problem-solving under fire, Carlos Alcaraz found enough gears to turn a precarious match into a statement win. Taylor Fritz leaves with proof his best can trouble anyone indoors—he just ran into a No. 1 who refused to blink when it mattered most.