Alcaraz vs Fritz live: ATP Finals scores, race for No. 1 heats up after epic first set

The Fritz is stuck! Three match points were saved. Alcaraz will work further for this.

Alcaraz hit a Fritz backhand as soon as he got inside the baseline and suddenly Alcaraz had two match points!

Fritz saves the first two, but Alcaraz takes the third with a spectacular leaping backhand overhead.

A tired forehand from Fritz went out of the court. Alcaraz served a big serve, closing the door for the American. It’s too late for the Fritz.

Fritz’s double-fault, his second of the match, gives Alcaraz a 0–30 lead.

And just like at the end of the second set, one error leads to another.

Alcaraz forces Fritz to her backhand and draws an error! The Alcaraz roars and it is a huge success.

Alcaraz’s surge hits a bump as he misses a volley and then a forehand to go from 40-0 to 40-30. Fritz was on point but in frustration he hit the net and bounced his racket.

Fritz runs in to try to meet Alcaraz’s drop-shot and the American concedes that he got the ball after the second bounce.

But that means he has to face 30-30. Alcaraz lets one fly but then locks it in to force deuce, hitting a backhand to score a crosscourt winner.

Fritz withstood Alcaraz’s charge, bringing some strong serving from the deuce.

Fritz’s intensity and energy have dropped off a bit, which is understandable. But Alcaraz’s serve is also improving and Fritz doesn’t have as many opportunities to attack.

You have to wonder how Fritz is doing physically. He played his first match yesterday against Lorenzo Musetti, while Alcaraz had a day off on Sunday due to opening the season against Alex de Minaur.

Alcaraz scored eight consecutive points and took the lead in the match for the first time since the early stages of the first leg. In the deciding game, Alcaraz would have the advantage of serving first, with the scoreboard pressure being on Fritz at the end of the second.

Alcaraz thundered a forehand cross and he roared ‘Vamos!’ Like he stole the set after all!

It was an incredible set from both players, but the big points went to Alcaraz.

It’s heartbreaking for Fritz and now he needs to go again in two hours and 10 minutes!