Alcaraz one step away from world number 1
The tennis player Carlos Alcaraz is one victory away from securing the number 1 spot in the world ranking at the end of the year. Alcaraz achieved an impressive comeback against Taylor Fritz, with a score of 6-7 (2), 7-5, 6-3, in the ATP Finals. Now, to secure the number 1 spot for the second time in his career, he needs to win his next group match against Lorenzo Musetti or his next match in the semifinals.Alcaraz, who improved his record to 2-0 in the season-ending event for the top eight players, secured his place in the semifinals after Musetti defeated Alex de Minaur 7-5, 3-6, 7-5. If Alcaraz doesn’t win another match and Jannik Sinner remains undefeated to defend his title, Sinner will finish at number 1. Alcaraz accumulated 47 winning shots, compared to Fritz’s 38, and managed to recover after losing the first set, despite his American opponent’s 14 aces.I’m trying not to think about it, to be honest. But it’s really difficult not to think about the number 1 spot.
Carlos Alcaraz
Fritz had opportunities to break Alcaraz’s serve early in the second set.It was a really difficult match. Very demanding physically. It was very close. I saved really difficult and important moments during the match, which I am very proud of and very happy to show really good tennis when it matters.
Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz leads the Jimmy Connors group, ahead of Fritz and Musetti, who have a 1-1 record, while De Minaur is at 0-2. Musetti was a late replacement for Novak Djokovic, who withdrew due to a shoulder injury. The top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals. Sinner leads his group after defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime in his first match on Monday. Fritz suffered from tendinitis in the knee in the third set.I just wasn’t clinical enough to finish some points at some really important points.
Taylor Fritz
Fritz added:It becomes a little difficult to bend the knee in my service once we get to that stage of the match. My knee is completely exhausted.
Taylor Fritz
I’ve had tendinitis all year. It’s really cost me to play consecutive days without it flaring up. I started feeling it towards the end of the first set, but it didn’t really affect me until the third set. It got to the point where it was really hard for me to bend my back leg on my serve, step into backhands, load the leg, my right leg, for an open-stance forehand.
Taylor Fritz
