Alcaraz into Paris Masters quarters after Berrettini withdraws

Carlos Alcaraz reached the Paris Masters quarterfinals on Thursday after Matteo Berrettini withdrew from their last-16 match. | Photo Credit: AFP

Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the Paris Masters quarterfinals on Thursday without hitting a ball, as his last-16 opponent Matteo Berrettini pulled out of the tournament.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion had been set to face the Italian, but Berrettini withdrew before the match with 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.

Alcaraz, who had a first-round bye as a top-eight seed, reaches the last eight having played just one match in Paris, a straight-sets win over Alex Michelsen.

Either Arthur Fils or Taylor Fritz will be his opponent on Friday, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.

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The Spaniard has never lifted the Paris Masters title and is now the highest-ranked player left in the draw this year, following world number one Alexander Zverev’s defeat on Wednesday.

Berrettini, 30, has had a career hit by injuries, and earlier this season he was forced to retire in Paris when a hip problem ended his French Open quarter-final against Matteo Arnaldi prematurely.

Elsewhere, Ben Shelton fought past France’s Arthur Rinderknech in a third-set tie-break to reach the quarterfinals.

The American third seed beat the 68th-ranked Frenchman 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), avoiding becoming the latest high-profile casualty.

Shelton will now take on fellow American Tommy Paul, the 12th seed, who defeated Frenchman Quentin Halys 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 in the opening match of the day on centre court.

With Alcaraz not on the schedule, home favourite Fils, the world number seven, will lead the night session against American 11th seed Fritz.

Former world number two Casper Ruud of Norway will also play, taking on Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff.

A host of top seeds fell on an upset filled Wednesday, when 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Frances Tiafoe and Alex de Minaur all joined Zverev in making early exits.