Carlos Alcaraz on facing Fritz: “He is tough, powerful. It’s always a difficult match-up. I like playing against him and having those battles, but sometimes it’s a nightmare.”
Taylor Fritz on facing Alcaraz: “He’s an incredible player, he’s amazing. When you get him on one of his best days he’s very tough to beat him, he plays with so much variety. I played a good match against him in Laver Cup and a solid match in Tokyo. I got closer than the times before.”
Jamie Braidwood16 October 2025 17:40
Six Kings Slam order of play and schedule
A reminder of today’s order of play, which happens to the same line-up as this year’s Wimbledon semi-finals.
From 5:30pm BST (UK time)
Semi-final 1: Carlos Alcaraz vs Taylor Fritz
Not before 7pm BST (UK time)
Semi-final 2: Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner
Jamie Braidwood16 October 2025 17:35
Why did Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic receive byes into semi-finals?
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz received byes into the semi-finals because they are the two players in the draw who have the most grand slam singles titles, with 24 and six respectively.
The same procedure was used last season, which meant Djokovic and Rafael Nadal went straight through to the semi-finals while Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner needed to go through the quarter-finals.
Jamie Braidwood16 October 2025 17:33
Taylor Fritz v Carlos Alcaraz – head to head
Fritz now faces Carlos Alcaraz in today’s semi-final and their head to head make for interesting reading.
After the duo first faced each other in Miami in 2023, Alcaraz has built a 4-1 lead in matches between the pair.
Fritz’s only win over the six-time grand slam champion was a 6-3, 6-2 win at the Laver Cup in Francisco last month, although Alcaraz has already got revenge by winning the Japan Open final against the American less than two weeks later.
Can Fritz get revenge today and move a step closer to the $4.5m winners’ prize?
Carlos Alcaraz will take on Taylor Fritz once more (REUTERS)
Luke Baker16 October 2025 17:26
Taylor Fritz too good for Alexander Zverev
It was a relatively simple day’s work for Taylor Fritz in the end yesterday as he easily downed Alexander Zverev 6-4, 6-3 in front of a muted crowd in Riyadh.
Fritz has now won seven consecutive matches against Zverev – but this won’t count on the official head-to-head records – and did not need to get out of second gear to win.
Zverev earned roughly $250,000 more for his 59-minute defeat to Fritz than he did for finishing runner-up at the Australian Open in January, and was paid around $25,000 per minute for his one match at the Six Kings Slam.
The German’s performance was particularly disappointing, although he appeared to be struggling with a right shoulder injury throughout the match.
The world No 3 was under-powered and repeatedly rolled serves into the middle of the service box that were 20kmph slower than his season average.
(REUTERS)
Luke Baker16 October 2025 17:17
In pictures: Day one at Six Kings Slam
Day one in Riyadh saw Sinner and Taylor Fritz advance with victories over Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev respectively
(AFP via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Luke Baker16 October 2025 17:05
Sinner shows his class agaisnt Tsitsipas
Sinner was having fun during his quarter-final victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas yesterday. Here’s just one of the remarkable shots he pulled off
Luke Baker16 October 2025 16:56
Jannik Sinner v Novak Djokovic – head to head
Today’s clash between Sinner and Djokovic should prove fascinating but the Italian actually has a remarkable recent record against his legendary opponent.
Sinner has won his last fovematches against Djokovic – not including last year’s Six Kings Slam semi-final, which doesn’t count towards official head-to-head records.
Sinner has also won six of his last seven competitive matches with Djokovic since losing to him in the 2023 Wimbledon semi-finals. They have met twice so far this season, with Sinner winning in the French Open semi-finals and Wimbledon semi-finals.
Djokovic has the edge early in Sinner’s career, winning their first three matches (including two Wimbledon clashes) but the younger man has had the edge in recent times.
(Getty Images)
Luke Baker16 October 2025 16:45
Novak Djokovic back in action in Riyadh
After reaching the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters last week, Novak Djokovic returns to the court today at the Six Kings Slam.
Djokovic struggled physically throughout the week in Shanghai and was stunned by World No 204, and eventual champion, Valentin Vacherot in the semi-finals.
Djokovic, who reached the semi-finals of all four grand slams this season only to lose to either Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner, will be determined to prove himself against his young rivals this week, with today’s game against Sinner the perfect test.
But his fitness will be a concern after his struggles with the heat and humidity in Shanghai, where his body proved to be the difference at the business end of the tournament.
Novak Djokovic is back in action this afternoon (AP)
Luke Baker16 October 2025 16:31
Six Kings Slam reveals what the top tennis players want in 2026
At a time in the season where the annual debate over what to do about the overpacked and unrelenting tennis calendar swings around once more, it seems there is always room for a little more competition when it comes with a $6m cheque for the champion on the side.
Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner are among the players involved as the Six Kings Slam returns for its second year in Saudi Arabia, with the three-day exhibition in Riyadh offering $1m more to the winner than Alcaraz received when he triumphed at last month’s US Open, itself the biggest prize fund in grand slam history.
Read Jamie Braidwood’s full analysis of the situation:
Luke Baker16 October 2025 16:19