Carlos Alcaraz produced a spirited comeback to defeat Taylor Fritz at the ATP Finals on Tuesday, edging closer to securing the year-end world No. 1 ranking for the second time in his career.

The five-time Grand Slam champion extended his perfect record in the Jimmy Connors Group to 2-0 with a hard-fought 6-7(2), 7-5, 6-3 victory over last year’s runner-up in Turin. Alcaraz will advance to the semi-finals if Alex de Minaur defeats Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti later on Tuesday.
“I’m really happy that I was able to come back and find my good tennis,” Alcaraz said after the win. “I just tried to make the most of the opportunities he gave me. We both played some great tennis and incredible points.”

Alcaraz, who lost the top spot to Jannik Sinner following the Paris Masters earlier this month, can reclaim the year-end No. 1 ranking by beating Musetti on Thursday. Sinner, meanwhile, must defend his ATP Finals crown without a single loss to have any chance of finishing the season on top for a second straight year.
The Spaniard now leads Fritz 5–1 in their head-to-head meetings, with the American’s only victory coming at the Laver Cup in September. Fritz will face De Minaur in his final group match.
Gruelling opening set
Fritz entered the contest brimming with confidence after a dominant win over Musetti on Monday and immediately demonstrated his serving power. Despite early pressure from Alcaraz, the American held firm in a marathon opening game featuring three aces and two saved break points.

Both players faced early tests on serve, with Alcaraz also fending off three break points in his opening service game. The Spaniard eventually broke Fritz midway through the set, only to surrender his own serve immediately after.

The set remained finely balanced and was ultimately decided by a tie-break, where Fritz dominated with his sixth ace to clinch the opener after 70 minutes.
Alcaraz turns the tide

The second set followed a similar pattern, with both players trading fierce baseline rallies. Fritz had the first chance to break in the fifth game but was denied by Alcaraz after an intense 21-minute struggle—the Spaniard roaring with relief as he held serve.

After saving further break points, Alcaraz seized his moment in the 12th game, capitalizing on two unforced errors from Fritz to take the set with a brilliant passing shot and level the match.
Finishing in style

With momentum firmly in his favour, Alcaraz broke Fritz in the sixth game of the decider to take control. Though the American fought valiantly—saving three match points in game eight—Alcaraz stayed composed, serving out to love and sealing victory as Fritz sent a backhand wide.
The win leaves Alcaraz just one match away from ending 2025 as world No. 1, capping another remarkable season for the young Spaniard.