How Did Alcaraz Secure His Semifinal Spot at the ATP Finals?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Carlos Alcaraz has qualified for the ATP Finals semifinals.
- He needs to win against Lorenzo Musetti to top his group.
- Alex de Minaur's victory over Taylor Fritz cleared Alcaraz's path.
- Alcaraz aims for his 70th win this season.
- The outcome of the next match could affect the year-end ranking.
Turin, Nov 13 (NationPress) The top-ranked player in the world, Carlos Alcaraz, has secured his spot in the semifinals of the ATP Finals, thanks to Alex de Minaur's impressive 7-6(3), 6-3 victory over Taylor Fritz earlier today. With Alcaraz winning both of his matches, Fritz's loss paves the way for Alcaraz to advance to the semifinals.
The Spanish player triumphed in his initial two contests at this prestigious year-end tournament and will lead the Jimmy Connors Group if he manages to defeat Lorenzo Musetti later today. Should Alcaraz lose to Musetti, he would finish second behind the Italian.
Alcaraz is also in contention for the ATP Year-End No. 1 title as he steps onto the court at the Inalpi Arena. If he achieves his 70th victory of the season, he will conclude the year as World No. 1, effectively halting Jannik Sinner's pursuit.
In the event that Alcaraz loses to Musetti, he would meet Sinner in the semifinals. If Sinner defeats Alcaraz and subsequently claims the title as an undefeated champion, he would end the year atop the rankings.
This marks Alcaraz's third appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals, with his best previous result being a semifinal run in 2023. The 22-year-old has captured eight titles in 2025, including major championships at Roland Garros and the US Open. He has also secured ATP Masters 1000 titles in Monte Carlo, Rome, and Cincinnati.
De Minaur has completed his part of the equation and now requires World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz to overcome Musetti to guarantee his own spot in the semifinals.
In a remarkable performance, de Minaur outclassed a nervous Fritz, finishing the round-robin stage with a 1-2 record. If Alcaraz beats Musetti later today, de Minaur will join him in the semifinals. Musetti will advance to the last-four stage with a win over Alcaraz. Last year’s finalist, Fritz, also ended up with a 1-2 record in the round-robin phase and has been eliminated.