Alcaraz Advances to Paris Quarters After Berrettini Withdraws

Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the Paris Masters quarterfinals on Thursday without hitting a single ball.

His third-round opponent, Matteo Berrettini, withdrew just before their scheduled match due to an arm injury.

Tournament organizers confirmed the walkover in a statement Thursday evening.

The match had been set for Thursday night in Paris.

Berrettini, ranked No. 43 in the world, said the pain in his arm had been building for days.

“Hello everyone, unfortunately the pain in my arm that I have been carrying for a few days will not allow me to go on the court tonight,” Berrettini wrote on his Instagram story.

“In the next few days I will do all the necessary investigations to better understand what it is,” he added.

The Italian’s withdrawal means Alcaraz moves directly into the last eight of the ATP Masters 1000 event.

Alcaraz, the second seed in Paris, had already won his opening match against Alex Michelsen earlier in the week.

The Spaniard is now set to face either France’s Arthur Fils or American Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals.

Alcaraz is chasing his fifth title of the 2026 season.

He has already won the Australian Open, the Qatar Open, the Japan Open and last week’s Vienna Open.

That run puts him at a 39-5 record for the season heading into his next match in Paris.

Alcaraz also missed more than four months earlier this year with a wrist injury.

Despite that layoff, he has already secured his spot at the ATP Finals in Turin, which will be held later this month.

The Paris Masters is the last major tune-up before that year-end championship.

Berrettini’s injury is the latest setback for the Italian, who has struggled with various physical issues over the past several seasons.

He had been playing well in Paris, winning his first two matches to set up the clash with Alcaraz.

The Paris Masters has seen several high-profile exits this week.

Novak Djokovic was eliminated in the second round by Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata in three sets.

That loss ended Djokovic’s chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals for only the second time in 20 years.

Alexander Zverev also suffered a shock defeat earlier in the tournament.

Ben Shelton outlasted Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech in a decisive tie-break to reach the quarterfinals on the other side of the draw.

Tommy Paul also advanced to the last eight, keeping his own Turin hopes alive.

The quarterfinal match between Fils and Fritz was moved to 7 p.m. local time, and its outcome is critical for the ATP Finals race.

Fils and Halys currently hold the keys for American players Frances Tiafoe and Jodar in the Paris draw.

Alcaraz will have a full day of rest before his quarterfinal, while his opponent will have played a full third-round match.

That rest advantage could be significant in a tournament where fatigue often becomes a factor in later rounds.

The Spaniard has been in dominant form since returning from his wrist injury.

He won the Vienna Open just last week, beating a strong field that included several top-20 players.

His 39-5 record this season is among the best on tour.

Berrettini’s withdrawal means Alcaraz has now reached the quarterfinals in Paris without having to face a seeded player.

His first-round opponent was unseeded, and his second-round opponent withdrew.

That kind of luck is rare at a Masters 1000 event, where the draw is deep with talent.

Alcaraz will be looking to make the most of it.

A fifth title in Paris would tie him for the most ATP titles in a single season since 2020.

It would also give him enormous momentum heading into the ATP Finals in Turin.

The ATP Finals bring together the top eight players in the world for a season-ending showdown.

Alcaraz has already qualified and will be among the favorites to win the title.

But first, he must get through the Paris quarterfinals.

His opponent, whether Fils or Fritz, will be well-rested and motivated.

Fils, a Frenchman, would have the home crowd behind him in Paris.

Fritz, an American, is a former top-10 player with big-match experience.

Alcaraz has beaten both players before, but never at a Masters 1000 event in France.

The quarterfinal is expected to be played on Friday, though the exact time has not yet been announced.

Berrettini, meanwhile, faces an uncertain recovery timeline.

He said he will undergo further tests in the coming days to determine the exact nature of his arm injury.

The Italian has dealt with arm problems before, including a hand injury that kept him out for several months in 2023.

He had been playing well this season, climbing back into the top 50 after a difficult year.

His withdrawal in Paris is a setback, but he has shown resilience in the past.

For Alcaraz, the path to the title in Paris is now clearer than it was 24 hours ago.

But tennis is unpredictable, and a walkover does not guarantee a championship.

The Spaniard will need to bring his best tennis in the quarterfinals and beyond.