Carlos Alcaraz 2-2 Taylor Fritz*
Alcaraz has been very transparent that he wants to enjoy himself in exhibitions and the Spaniard pulls off another highlight-reel shot. Moving backwards, Alcaraz tickles another brilliant drop shot over the net that left Fritz with no chance.
Jamie Braidwood16 October 2025 18:07
*Carlos Alcaraz 1-2 Taylor Fritz
Fritz knows he has to bring his best level in every game to keep this competitive. He guides a lovely backhand winner down the line and lands a big kicker out wide on his way to getting his opening hold. Solid enough start.
Jamie Braidwood16 October 2025 18:03
Carlos Alcaraz 1-1 Taylor Fritz*
Incredible shot from Alcaraz as he slaps a forehand crosscourt winner on the run, with the ball scorching past Fritz.
From power, Alcaraz switches to touch as he tucks a drop shot just over the net. Fritz goes wide on the return and that’s an emphatic opening game from Alcaraz.
(REUTERS)
Jamie Braidwood16 October 2025 17:59
*Carlos Alcaraz 0-1 Taylor Fritz
Alcaraz jogs inside the baseline when facing the Fritz second serve on the opening point, and easily puts it away for a return winner.
That underlines the importance of Fritz’s first-serve percentage here, but the American steadies to get to 40-15, only to throw in a double fault.
Alcaraz fires an inside-out forehand winner to get to deuce, but Fritz fires an ace and unreturned serve out wide to get the opening hold.
Jamie Braidwood16 October 2025 17:56
Carlos Alcaraz 0-0 Taylor Fritz*
There were some muted ‘Siuuuus’ as Speed made his way off the court. Alcaraz won the toss and elected to receive, so Fritz will serve first.
Jamie Braidwood16 October 2025 17:49
We’re almost ready to begin. Fritz is followed onto the Riyadh court by Alcaraz, whose arrival is greeted by some louder cheers. There are still many empty seats in the Arena. There wasn’t much of an atmosphere yesterday but today’s semi-final line-up is unquestionably a better draw.
Eh… Alcaraz was wearing some sort of camera when walking out on court? We are treated to a shaky perspective of Alcaraz removing his warm-up top. Safe to say some of Netflix’s production has not really hit the bar so far.
Oh, we’re got iShowSpeed doing the coin toss. A joy.
Jamie Braidwood16 October 2025 17:47
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