"One of the most special matches I've ever played”: Carlos Alcaraz reflects on incredible escape against Fritz

Saturday, 07 November 2026 at 09:30

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Carlos Alcaraz had to fight through one of his most difficult moments of the season before keeping his hopes of a first Paris Masters title alive. The world No. 3 saved two match points against Taylor Fritz in a dramatic quarter-final on Friday, recovering from a set down to secure a 6-7(10), 7-5, 6-3 victory and reach the last four in Paris for the first time.

The result marked a significant step for Alcaraz, who had never progressed beyond the quarter-finals at the tournament. It also ended Fritz's hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals, adding further significance to an already high-stakes encounter.

Alcaraz will now face Casper Ruud for a place in the final. The Norwegian booked his spot with a 7-6(5), 6-4 win over Nuno Borges, setting up another important test for the Spaniard.

With his first Paris Masters final within reach, Alcaraz will also be chasing a chance to add another Masters 1000 title to his collection. But after the escape against Fritz, it was his own reaction to one of the most dramatic matches of his season that provided the most compelling insight.

Alcaraz admits he thought he could lose to Fritz

Despite the magnitude of the comeback, Alcaraz's post-match reaction was not simply about the relief of escaping defeat. The Spaniard admitted that he had struggled with nerves for much of the match, particularly after failing to close out the first set.

"At 5-4 in the first set, I felt nervous. He started playing more solidly, better from the baseline, and I was struggling a little to find my game from the back of the court, which made things more difficult,” Alcaraz said, according to Punto de Break. “I had my opportunities, but I didn't take them, making decisions that I regret, to be honest."

The turning point came after he fell 5-3 behind in the second set. Rather than allowing the pressure to overwhelm him, the Spaniard began to enjoy the occasion and feed off the atmosphere inside the arena.

"After that 5-3, I started getting rid of those nerves and enjoying myself on court, because I hit a couple of great shots and played several fantastic points. I started smiling, generating energy from the crowd. I tried to use it to entertain them. That's when I started appreciating every second and every point; that was the key today," he said.

OUTRAGEOUS TENNIS 🤯🔥 @carlosalcaraz #RolexParisMasters https://t.co/dw6MgeHSga
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 6, 2026

Alcaraz also acknowledged that he had genuinely considered the possibility of losing, particularly with Fritz playing at such a high level and holding two opportunities to finish the match.

"Did I ever see myself losing? Of course, I'm not going to lie. He had several match points and was returning really well and playing great from the baseline. I saved several match points with some passing shots that, honestly, were incredible. It was the moment to do something like that."

His explanation then produced one of the most striking admissions of the night, as Alcaraz made clear that accepting defeat would not have been a problem if he had given everything on court.

"If I had lost, fine, but I didn't want to leave the court feeling I could have done something more, or that I should have chosen the aggressive option, which is my style of play."

"One of the most special matches" of Alcaraz's career

The comeback clearly meant more to Alcaraz than simply reaching another Masters 1000 semi-final. The seven-time Grand Slam champion described the atmosphere and the experience of turning the match around as something he would remember for a long time.

"Things eventually worked out. I stayed present, played good tennis when I needed to, and I'm very happy I was able to turn the match around. This match is probably one of the most special matches I've ever played. I'll remember it for a long time," he said.

The Spaniard also returned to the importance of enjoying the game, explaining that he had to remind himself of a simple principle after allowing the pressure to affect his performance.

"I needed to understand what was happening at the beginning, why I was playing so nervously. I realised I had to enjoy myself. Win or lose, this is just a game. It's about going out on court and enjoying yourself, playing your best, appreciating the crowd. I think everyone on court has to be happy, whether they win or lose, and I try to do that in every match."

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Alcaraz also paid tribute to the spectators who helped lift him during the most difficult stages of the encounter, describing how their reaction gave him the energy to keep fighting.

"I tried not to let myself get down in those difficult moments in the second set. I tried to stay mentally strong and get through those problems, those break points, those match points Taylor had. At 5-3 and serving, I would say, I don't remember exactly, but in that game we played incredible tennis, both of us, with some amazing points. We got the crowd on their feet, giving this match new energy, and I absorbed that energy, I leaned on the crowd."

The next challenge will be another demanding one against Ruud, who has reached his 11th Masters 1000 semi-final. Alcaraz leads their head-to-head 6-1, but the Norwegian arrives in the last four after winning three consecutive matches without dropping a set. With his first Paris Masters final now within reach, Alcaraz will look to carry the confidence of his escape against Fritz into Saturday's encounter.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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