Carlos Alcaraz Receives First Career Walkover To Reach Paris Masters Quarterfinals As Berrettini Withdraws

Carlos Alcaraz received the first walkover of his professional career on Thursday, advancing to the Paris Masters quarterfinals without playing a single point in the third round.

Matteo Berrettini withdrew from their scheduled match due to an arm injury.

The Italian announced the decision on his Instagram story just before the match was set to begin at La Défense Arena.

“Hi everyone, unfortunately the arm pain I’ve been having for a few days won’t allow me to play tonight…” Berrettini wrote.

“Over the next few days I’ll have all the necessary tests to better understand what’s happening. Thank you all for the support and affection you show me every day on and off the pitch.”

The withdrawal robbed fans of what was expected to be one of the most thrilling matches of Thursday’s program in the French capital.

Alcaraz and Berrettini had met twice before on the ATP Tour, with each player winning one match.

Berrettini is one of only two players to have beaten Alcaraz in a five-set Grand Slam match.

The 23-year-old Spaniard now moves into the last eight without expending any energy in the third round.

He will face either sixth-seeded Arthur Fils or No. 11 Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals.

Fils is seeking a deep run in front of his home fans in Paris.

Fritz is chasing a spot at the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin.

Alcaraz started his Paris Masters campaign against Alex Michelsen in the second round.

He earned a 7-6, 6-3 victory in that match.

The favorite lost serve once and provided two breaks to emerge at the top after turning the tables in the tiebreak.

Michelsen led 4-1 in the tiebreak before Alcaraz rattled off six straight points to secure the first set and gain a massive boost.

Alcaraz denied a break point in the seventh game of the second set and clinched a break in the next game to determine the winner.

Berrettini had defeated Brandon Nakashima in the first round, saving two match points in the decisive tiebreak.

The Italian then faced Ugo Humbert in the second round and prevailed in two tight sets to set up the clash against Alcaraz.

Injuries have been a recurring theme in Berrettini’s career.

The former world No. 6 has struggled with several physical issues over the last few years.

His foot was his major obstacle during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, which saw him miss the 2024 Australian Open.

This season alone, Berrettini withdrew from another high-profile event at the French Open.

He had been gradually getting back into his groove on the Parisian clay, winning some marathon five-set matches, before he had to withdraw against his compatriot Matteo Arnaldi due to a hip injury.

Berrettini was also set for a high-profile clash against Alex de Minaur in the first round of the 2026 Australian Open, but had to withdraw before the match due to an abdominal injury.

He was replaced by Mackenzie McDonald, who played the first-round match against De Minaur.

Berrettini was also hampered by a similar abdominal issue against Alexander Zverev at the 2021 ATP Finals, which saw him retire mid-match.

Thursday’s withdrawal marks another disappointing chapter in a career that has been repeatedly interrupted by physical setbacks.

For Alcaraz, the walkover provides an unexpected opportunity.

He is chasing his best result at the Paris Masters, one of the rare notable events where he has yet to play in the latter stages.

This is his second quarterfinal at the tournament, and the first since 2022.

Last year, Alcaraz fell to Cameron Norrie in the second round in three sets.

The Spaniard arrives in Paris after winning the title in Vienna last week.

He will use the extra rest to prepare for a challenging quarterfinal clash.

A walkover occurs when a player advances to the next round because their opponent withdraws before the match begins.

It is recorded as a win in the player’s official statistics but does not count toward their match record for ranking purposes.

Alcaraz had never received a walkover in his professional career before Thursday.

The Paris Masters is an ATP Masters 1000 event, the highest tier of tournament below the Grand Slams and the ATP Finals.

It is held annually at the Accor Arena in Paris, though this year’s edition is being played at La Défense Arena.

The tournament is the last Masters 1000 event of the season and serves as a key opportunity for players to earn ranking points ahead of the ATP Finals.

Alcaraz is currently ranked No. 3 in the world.

He is seeking his first title at the Paris Masters.

The draw has opened up significantly after Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev both suffered shock defeats earlier in the tournament.

Berrettini’s withdrawal means Alcaraz will enter the quarterfinals fresher than any of his potential opponents.

The Italian did not specify which arm was causing the pain in his withdrawal statement.