Alcaraz rallies past Fritz in gripping Turin duel

In the charged atmosphere of Inalpi Arena on November 11, 2025, Carlos Alcaraz battled through a grueling two-hour, 48-minute encounter to defeat Taylor Fritz 6-7(2), 7-5, 6-3. The top-seeded Spaniard, chasing his maiden Nitto ATP Finals crown, extended his perfect 2-0 record in the Jimmy Connors Group with a performance that mixed raw determination and sharp adjustments on the indoor hardcourt. Fritz, last year's runner-up, pressed hard for his second indoor victory over Alcaraz this year, but the 22-year-old's comeback kept his semifinal hopes alive and pulled him within 50 points of ATP Year-End No. 1 honors over rival Jannik Sinner.

First set tests Alcaraz's composure

The opening set played out as a tactical duel under the arena's bright lights, with Fritz's powerful serve setting the pace and forcing Alcaraz into defensive crosscourt exchanges. The American held his nerve in longer rallies, using flat forehands to stretch the court and capitalize on Alcaraz's occasional lapses in the tiebreak, where ambitious inside-out attempts sailed wide. As the crowd's anticipation built, Alcaraz absorbed the setback, his focus sharpening during changeovers while Fritz pushed forward with precise one-two combinations that pinned the Spaniard deep.

Alcaraz began probing for openings by varying his returns, incorporating underspin to neutralize Fritz's low-skidding second serves and disrupt the rhythm on the quick surface. This subtle shift hinted at the mental reset underway, transforming early frustration into calculated aggression amid the swelling murmurs from the packed stands. The set's intensity underscored the season's stakes, with every point amplifying the pressure of Alcaraz's pursuit of that elusive group-stage dominance.

Second-set hold ignites momentum shift

At 2-2 in the second set, Alcaraz stared down break point and unleashed a scrambling defense that turned a dire rally into opportunity, charging the net for a decisive volley winner in a marathon 14-minute service hold. Saving both break points with a mix of slice backhands and aggressive inside-in forehands, he not only preserved his serve but sparked a surge in intensity that rippled through the arena. Fritz, sensing the tide turning, struggled to maintain his one-two patterns as Alcaraz's footwork adapted to the court's speed, shortening strokes for quicker recoveries.

The decider's break arrived in the 12th game, where Fritz's shovelled backhand return at 0-15 clipped the net cord, wrong-footing Alcaraz and handing him a second set point that he converted with a crisp forehand winner. This slice of fortune amplified the psychological edge, as the Spaniard carried the crowd's roar into the third set, overwhelming Fritz with down-the-line passes that exploited positioning gaps. The victory improved Alcaraz's ATP Head2Head edge to 5-1, a testament to his evolving indoor game.

Carlitos Comes Through! @carlosalcaraz | #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/8t2Rm3317B

— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 11, 2025

Semifinal berth and year-end chase advance

With this win, Alcaraz positions for a semifinal spot if Alex de Minaur topples debutant Lorenzo Musetti later Tuesday, streamlining his path through the group and easing the mental weight of a demanding season. The points haul tightens his grip on year-end supremacy, where precision on these fast courts could prove pivotal against Sinner's steady challenge. Fritz battled fiercely, his indoor prowess evident, but Alcaraz's resilience signals a player primed for the late stages, eyes locked on lifting the Nitto ATP Finals trophy in Turin.