Alcaraz secured a thrilling three-set victory against American Fritz 6-7(2), 7-5, 6-3 putting him just one win away from clinching the top spot in the 2025 world rankings ahead of Italian Jannik Sinner.

Although the battle with Sinner is always in the back of the Spaniard’s mind, the challenge posed by Fritz demanded Alcaraz’s full attention.

"At first, I was trying not to think about it, honestly, but it’s really hard not to consider the number one ranking," Alcaraz explained.

"At the beginning of the match I thought about it a bit. But during the match, there were many things to focus on. The thought of being number one disappeared."

After Fritz took the first set in a tiebreak, Alcaraz faced difficulties in the second set before eventually earning his second win at the season-ending championships.

"In my mind, I was focused on how to turn the match around because I was going through tough moments. I wasn’t playing very well, I suppose," Alcaraz said.

"I was thinking about finding a way to come back or to win the match. The number one ranking wasn’t on my mind at all during the match. I was just concentrating on winning, however possible."

A win for Alex de Minaur against Lorenzo Musetti in the other Jimmy Connors Group match later Tuesday would guarantee Alcaraz a spot in the semi-finals in Turin.