Daijiworld Media Network - Paris

Paris, Nov 7: World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz overcame a stern challenge from Taylor Fritz, rallying from a set down to secure a 6-7(10), 7-5, 6-3 victory and book his place in the semifinals of the Paris Masters.

The victory ended Fritz's hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals and ensured that fellow Spaniard Rafael Jodar secured the final available spot in the year-end tournament.

Fritz, who was 11th in the ATP Live Race to Turin before the quarterfinal clash, needed to defeat Alcaraz to overtake ninth-placed Jodar and qualify for the ATP Finals, scheduled to be held at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy.

Jodar had already suffered an early exit from the Paris Masters in the round of 32. However, Fritz's defeat confirmed the Spaniard as the final qualifier. Jodar, who made his full-time debut at the tour level this season, will now feature in the prestigious eight-player tournament.

Meanwhile, Frances Tiafoe became the seventh player to qualify after Tommy Paul lost his chance with a defeat against Ben Shelton in the Paris quarterfinals.

Alcaraz produced a remarkable comeback against Fritz to reach his third ATP Masters 1000 semifinal of the season. The Spaniard was trailing 3-5 in the second set and faced a match point on his serve before producing a brilliant point to hold serve and reduce the deficit to 4-5.

He subsequently saved another match point on Fritz's serve in the following game before breaking the American to level the set at 5-5. Raising his game at a crucial stage, Alcaraz won the next two games to take the match into a deciding set, where he eventually sealed victory.

Speaking after the match, Alcaraz said he had focused on remaining mentally strong during the difficult moments in the second set and saving crucial break points and match points.

He described the game in which he held serve at 3-5 as a turning point, saying the quality of tennis prompted spectators to rise to their feet and energise the contest.

Alcaraz added that he drew inspiration from the crowd's support and was delighted to entertain the spectators for another one-and-a-half hours. He described the feeling after the victory as unmatched.

Alcaraz will now face Casper Ruud in the semifinal as he bids to win his maiden Paris Masters title.

With the latest results, the eight-player ATP Finals line-up has also been confirmed. Jodar and Tiafoe have joined Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli and Arthur Fils in the year-end championship, which will be held from November 15 to 22.