Carlos Alcaraz saves match points to reach Paris Masters semifinals

Carlos Alcaraz produced another miracle in the French capital as the seven-time Grand Slam champion fended off two match points to beat Taylor Fritz and reach the Paris Masters semifinals on Friday. He will next take on former world number two Casper Ruud on Saturday after the Norwegian eliminated Portuguese lucky loser Nuno Borges 7-6 (7/5), 6-4.

In scenes reminiscent of his iconic French Open final comeback win over Jannik Sinner last season, when he saved three championship points, Alcaraz again wowed the crowd in Paris as he snatched another improbable victory from the jaws of defeat. “Probably this match is going to be one of the most special matches that I ever played, and I’m going to remember this match for a long time,” Alcaraz told reporters.

Despite only playing one match en route to the quarterfinals, Alcaraz showed no signs of rust as he seized his first break opportunity in the fifth game of the opening set, whipping a forehand passing shot around the stranded Fritz.