Fritz wins in Paris to stay in hunt for ATP Finals spot

Taylor Fritz of the USA stayed in rivalry for one of many two remaining ATP Finals spots by beating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-5, 6-2 within the first spherical of the Paris Masters on Monday.

Fritz rallied from a 4-2 deficit within the opening set and took the second by profitable the final 4 video games. Davidovich Fokina made 24 unforced errors to simply 9 for Fritz.

Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud, Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic have already certified for the ATP Finals.

Fritz, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Andrey Rublev and Hubert Hurkacz are within the working to spherical out the eight-player subject.

“It’s been the very best season ever,” Fritz mentioned in an on-court interview. “No strain. I’m simply making an attempt to have the very best consequence I probably can. I performed effectively right here final 12 months, so I don’t see why I can’t do it once more this 12 months.”

Fritz has received titles in Tokyo, Eastbourne and Indian Wells this season. He misplaced to eventual champion Djokovic within the Paris Masters quarterfinals final 12 months.

John Isner, Cameron Norrie, Karen Khachanov, Yoshihito Nishioka and Nikoloz Basilashvili additionally superior into the second spherical.

Isner made a profitable comeback in his return from a wrist harm by downing qualifier Oscar Otte 6-4, 7-6 (3).

The American broke for a 4-3 lead within the opening set and saved two set factors at 5-4 within the second. He then raced to a 6-0 lead within the tie-breaker and served his nineteenth ace to win the match.

Isner will subsequent play No. 7 seed Rublev.

Nishioka beat Aslan Karatsev 6-3, 6-4 and can subsequent tackle top-ranked Alcaraz.

No. 12 seed Norrie cruised previous Miomir Kecmanovic 6-2, 6-4, whereas Khachanov ousted Sebastian Baez 6-1, 6-1, and Basilashvili defeated qualifier Quentin Halys 6-3, 6-4.