Fritz and Paul Battle for the Last Two Spots in Turin

Two spots remain at the Nitto ATP Finals for four players heading into Friday.

Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul both came away with straight-set wins Thursday at the Rolex Paris Masters to keep their push to Turin alive.

Three Americans and a Spaniard are chasing the last two places at the season finale, which runs Nov. 15-22 in Italy.

The Rolex Paris Masters will settle much of it.

Six players have already booked their trips: Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli and Arthur Fils.

Jannik Sinner is out injured, so the ninth spot in the Live Race is effectively the last ticket.

HERE ARE THE CLINCHING SCENARIOS

Taylor Fritz, currently 11th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, is 184 points behind ninth-placed Rafael Jodar.

Fritz qualifies if he reaches the semifinals, unless Tommy Paul reaches the final.

If the two Americans meet in the final, Fritz qualifies regardless of the result.

Tommy Paul, currently 13th, has the hardest road.

He has to reach the final, and he cannot lose to Fritz if he gets there.

Frances Tiafoe, currently eighth, is through in every scenario except one: Paul beating Fritz in the final.

Rafael Jodar, the 20-year-old Spaniard sitting ninth, needs a lot to go his way.

Fritz must lose before the semifinals, and Paul must lose before the final.

FRITZ KEEPS HIS HOPES ALIVE

Fritz moved a step closer with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Arthur Fils in the Round of 16.

Fils had already clinched his ATP Finals spot a day earlier, but Fritz had no such luxury and played like it.

He dropped few points on serve, racing through a 28-minute opening set by using the full width of the court and keeping rallies short — at just 2.9 shots per point.

Fils saved two break points in the opening game of the second set and answered with a fist pump toward the crowd.

Fritz's consistent returning blunted Fils' rhythm, and he broke for the second time in the third game of the second set.

The French crowd fell silent on the final point.

Fritz finished having faced no break points, according to Infosys ATP Stats, and produced 29 winners to Fils' 15, including 14 aces.

Thursday's victory against Fils marks Fritz's 100th Masters 1000 win.

The American is now into his second Masters 1000 quarterfinal of the season (after Cincinnati) and 16th overall.

Up next for Fritz is Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals — a far taller task.

Alcaraz, the second seed, advanced after Matteo Berrettini withdrew due to injury ahead of their third-round clash.

Alcaraz holds a 6-1 Lexus ATP Head2Head series lead against Fritz.

"I am excited for it," Fritz said about facing Alcaraz on Friday.

"Excited for the opportunity. That's why I have gotten to this point in the tournament. I knew I was probably gonna have to go through him if I wanted to [have the chance] to make Turin. So, I'm ready to play."

PAUL SURVIVES A TENSE ONE

Paul knew a loss to Frenchman Quentin Halys would end his ATP Finals hopes, and he held firm in a 7-6(3) 6-4 victory.

He now sits 309 points behind Jodar in the Live Race, with Jodar already out of the tournament.

Paul's next opponent is Ben Shelton, the third seed and a close friend.

Both are chasing an inaugural Paris semifinal, and it will be their first time meeting since 2024.

"He's in great form right now," Shelton said.

"A great player, a great friend. I've been rooting for him."