Carlos Alcaraz has advanced to the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters 1000 without playing a single point, after Matteo Berrettini withdrew from the tournament on Thursday with an arm problem, diariovasco.com reported. The walkover matches Alcaraz’s best run at the indoor event — the quarterfinals he reached in 2022 — and sets up a Friday meeting with Taylor Fritz for a place in the semifinals.
Berrettini had arrived in Paris in strong form. After reaching the quarterfinals in Vienna, he defeated Brandon Nakashima and Ugo Humbert to earn what would have been his fifth career meeting with Alcaraz. The Italian trails their head-to-head 1-4, with his lone victory coming at the 2021 Australian Open. The withdrawal removes him from a tournament where he had aspired to continue progressing.
In a post on social media, Berrettini explained that the pain he had been carrying in his arm for several days would not allow him to take the court, adding that he would undergo medical tests in the coming days to determine the exact nature of the problem. elcorreo.com reported that the withdrawal effectively ends Berrettini’s season, as he was not included in Italy’s Davis Cup team that will defend its title in Bologna later this month.
Berrettini’s Injury-Plagued Career
The latest setback adds to years of physical struggles for a player who once reached the Wimbledon final, won Queen’s twice, and reached the Madrid Masters final and the semifinals of both the US Open and the Australian Open. Berrettini climbed as high as No. 6 in the world rankings, but injuries have repeatedly interrupted his progress. His return to the top 50 this season had appeared to signal a turning point, elperiodico.digital noted.
Alcaraz Matches His 2022 Run
For Alcaraz, the walkover equals his previous best at the Paris Masters. In 2022, he also reached the quarterfinals but was forced to withdraw against Holger Rune with a right-leg injury that kept him out of the remainder of that season and the 2023 Australian Open, diariovasco.com reported. With Berrettini out, Alcaraz is now two victories from the title. Any victory from Friday onward would improve on his previous best at the indoor event.
Fritz Awaits in the Quarterfinals
Alcaraz’s next opponent is Taylor Fritz, who defeated France’s Arthur Fils in the round of 16 to reach the quarterfinals. elperiodico.digital reported that the Spaniard has secured extra rest time not originally planned, which could prove valuable as the tournament reaches its decisive stages. That time could help him recover his strength, adjust tactical aspects and arrive on Friday in better physical condition, though it also means missing a chance to build match rhythm before a more demanding contest. A victory over Fritz would send Alcaraz into his first Paris Masters semifinal.
Implications for Rafa Jódar’s Turin Qualification
Alcaraz’s continued run could also aid compatriot Rafa Jódar’s push to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin. According to diariovasco.com, Jódar needs Fritz to lose before the semifinals and Tommy Paul — who plays Quentin Halys — to miss the final for his own qualification hopes to remain alive.
The quarterfinal between Alcaraz and Fritz is scheduled for Friday in Paris.
Earlier coverage: Carlos Alcaraz Advances to París Masters Quarterfinals as Berrettini Withdraws with Elbow Injury
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