Alcaraz - Fritz tug of war, exchange breaks at ATP Finals
The ATP Finals group stage saw a tight match: Alcaraz and Fritz exchanged early breaks, many games lasting up to 40-all. Fritz temporarily led 6-5 in set 1 after a clean game.
The balance was torn and then closed immediately. Alcaraz broke Fritz's serve to lead 2-1, but just one game later, Fritz immediately broke back. At 5-6, the first set was still wide open, with the American temporarily leading after a clean game, and Alcaraz constantly having to rescue the break opportunities in his own court.
Set 1 developments: serve, return and psychological hinges
The start showed the gravity of each point. Fritz served first and dragged the opening game to nine minutes, with six 40-alls and two break points, before closing with an ace. Immediately after that, Alcaraz had to save three break points (having been trailing 15-40) to hold his serve, signaling a physically and mentally draining set.
The turning point came early in game 2-1: Alcaraz returned serve brilliantly, leading 40-15, then broke when Fritz was pulled to the net and missed. But the American immediately hit back: from 2-2, Fritz won the point, capitalized on an error with a drop shot from Alcaraz and completed the break.
Mid-set, the game tilted towards serve: Fritz scored an ace into the T-corner to consolidate his advantage; Alcaraz responded with a combination of drop-lobs to force his opponent to move in the opposite direction. In game 4-4, Alcaraz saved more break points, scored his first ace of the match and closed with a volley. At this point, Alcaraz had saved 6 break points since the start of the match.
At the end of the set, the narrow moments continued to repeat. Alcaraz used a backhand down the line to cut the score to 30-40 in game 4-5 but Fritz still held the game. In game 5-5, Alcaraz hit a T-angle ace to break the tie after being pulled back to 40 twice - both due to unforced errors. Fritz immediately responded with a clean game to take the lead 6-5.
Set 1 progress table (as of 5-6)
| Set score | Game winner | Key notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1 | Fritz | Game 9 minutes, 6 times 40-all, ended with an ace |
| 1-1 | Alcaraz | Saved 3 break points, won after 3 times 40-all |
| 2-1 | Alcaraz | Break for Alcaraz thanks to good return, Fritz misses at the net |
| 2-2 | Fritz | Break again; Fritz wins the point with a cross-court backhand near the line |
| 2-3 | Fritz | Ace in the T-corner after Alcaraz's strong return |
| 3-3 | Alcaraz | Drop the lure onto the net and lob; Fritz returns the serve |
| 3-4 | Fritz | Keep the game steady |
| 4-4 | Alcaraz | Break save, first ace, game-closing volley; saved 6 breaks since the start of the match |
| 4-5 | Fritz | Alcaraz left along the line shortened 30-40 but Fritz kept the game |
| 5-5 | Alcaraz | Crucial T-corner ace, Fritz backhand misses net |
| 5-6 | Fritz | White Game |
Tactical angle: Fritz's flat ball speed vs Alcaraz's variation
Fritz exploited the indoor hard court surface with T-shaped serves and low forehands into the corners, shortening rallies and forcing returns. These tactics helped him get through the rough spots, especially after being pulled back to 40-all.
Alcaraz chose to slow the pace when needed: dropping a well-timed drop to draw Fritz off the baseline and then hitting a lob over the head, alternating with a finishing shot to the net. However, unforced errors in the 5-5 game nearly cost him, before a pressure-relieving ace kept the set close.
ATP Finals group stage background
Alcaraz starts with a win
Before this match, Alcaraz defeated Alex de Minaur with a score of 7-6, 6-2. Accordingly, this is an important start in a tournament where he played below expectations; it is also the first time he won his opening match at the ATP Finals, after losing to Alexander Zverev in 2023 and Casper Ruud in 2024. In addition to the goal of competing for the championship, Alcaraz also has to defend the world No. 1 position and aim to finish as No. 1 at the end of the year.
Fritz keeps pace with win over Musetti
In the opening match, Taylor Fritz defeated Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 6-4. The American has a habit of playing well on fast indoor hard courts: reaching the semi-finals in his first appearance in 2022 and finishing runner-up in 2024 behind Jannik Sinner. To dream of a semi-final spot, Fritz needs to beat the world No. 1 at tour level for the first time in his career, after a 0-12 losing streak against top players to this point.
The first set was still open, the tempo of serve and return would continue to shape the outcome. Each 40-all at this point was like a mini-break in the service game itself.