Alcaraz into Paris Masters quarters after Berrettini withdraws

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz serves to US’ Alex Michelsen during their men’s singles match on day three of the Paris ATP Masters 1000 tennis tournament at the Plenitude Arena in Nanterre, on the outskirts of Paris, on November 4, 2026. Alcaraz was given a walkover through to the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters on Thursday after Matteo Berrettini withdrew from the tournament. — AFP pic

First Published: Thursday, 05 Nov 2026 8:28 PM MYT

PARIS, Nov 5 — Carlos Alcaraz was given a walkover through to the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters on Thursday after Matteo Berrettini withdrew from the tournament.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion was scheduled to play the Italian in the last 16, but Berrettini pulled out ahead of their encounter due to an elbow injury.

“Unfortunately, the pain in my arm that I’ve been putting up with for the past few days means I won’t be able to take to the court tonight,” Berrettini posted on social media.

After receiving a bye through the first round due to being a top-eight seed, Alcaraz is now into the last eight with only one match under his belt in Paris.

He will meet either Arthur Fils or Taylor Fritz on Friday for a spot in the semi-finals.

The Spaniard has never won the Paris Masters, and is the top-ranked player remaining in the draw this year after world number one Alexander Zverev lost on Wednesday.

Berrettini, 30, has endured an injury-plagued career and was forced to retire earlier this season in Paris when a hip issue brought a premature end to his French Open quarter-final clash with Matteo Arnaldi.

American 12th seed Tommy Paul beat Frenchman Quentin Halys 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 in the day’s opening match on centre court at the Paris Masters.

He will next play either third-seed compatriot Ben Shelton or France’s Arthur Rinderknech in the last eight.

With Alcaraz no longer on the menu, local player Fils will headline the night session later when the world number seven faces off against American 11th seed Fritz.

Former world number two Casper Ruud of Norway will also be in action against Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff.

The Paris Masters lost a spate of top seeds on an upset-filled Wednesday as 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Frances Tiafoe and Alex de Minaur all joined Zverev in exiting early. — AFP