Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz is one match away from securing the year-end world No. 1 ranking, even as his ATP Finals group in Turin remains highly competitive with all four players still able to qualify for the semifinals.
The top-ranked Spaniard bolstered his chances for the semifinals by defeating American Taylor Fritz in a tough three-set match. This victory put him closer to advancing from the “Jimmy Connors” group.
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Alcaraz’s next encounter against Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti carries significant weight beyond just group progression. A win would guarantee he finishes the year as the world’s top-ranked male player, a position he has been battling for against fellow Italian Jannik Sinner.
With only one matchday left, all competitors in the group face both the chance of qualification and the risk of elimination. Alcaraz leads the group with two victories.
Fritz and Musetti each hold one win. Australia’s Alex De Minaur, who has yet to secure a victory, is also still mathematically in contention.
Alcaraz, the world number one, overcame Fritz, ranked sixth, with a score of 6-7 (2-7), 7-5, 6-3. The match lasted two hours and 50 minutes in Turin.
In another pivotal group match, Musetti, ranked ninth, defeated De Minaur, ranked seventh. That contest ended 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 after two hours and 48 minutes.
The final group stage will see Alcaraz face Musetti. Fritz will play against De Minaur. Alcaraz could still advance to the semifinals even if he loses, but this outcome depends on the result of the other match.