By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, October 31, 2023
The Paris trip is over for Taylor Fritz.
The 10th-ranked Fritz withdrew from the Rolex Paris Masters today due to an abdominal injury.
Sabalenka: Very Disappointed with WTA
Fritz defeated Argentinean Sebastian Baez 6-1, 6-4, in his Paris opener yesterday, but apparently aggravated an existing abdominal issue in the process and was forced to withdraw.
The withdrawal sends Daniel Altmaier, Fritz's scheduled second-round opponent, into the Paris round of 16 on a walkover.
Fritz arrived in Paris still holding a shot of qualifying for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin. However, his injury-induced withdrawal today, combined with the fact two of the players he's chasing in the Race to Turin—Hubert Hurkacz and Alexander Zverev—each won today means the American No. 1's season is likely over.
Nine Americans opened the tournament in the Paris main draw—most of any nation.
As of today, only two American men—Tommy Paul, who saved three match points edging French hero Richard Gasquet last night and Mackenzie McDonald, who beat compatriot JJ Wolf today—remain standing after Frenchman Ugo Humbert ousted American qualifier Marcos Giron.
Photo credit: Brad Penner/USTA/US Open