Fritz Withdraws From Paris Before Second-Round Match

Taylor Fritz withdrew from the Rolex Paris Masters on Tuesday due to an abdominal strain. The withdrawal puts his hopes of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals in jeopardy.

The American, who was not scheduled to play Tuesday, advanced to the second round on Monday with a straight-sets win over Sebastian Baez, but received treatment during the second set on his abdominal region.

“It’s something that’s been bothering me for a little bit… I didn’t think it was anything too bad going in [to this match], but one where I slid out and sliced that forehand, I felt like I did something that I had never done to it before,” Fritz said after the match. “Like maybe I tore something or pulled it. So I’m going to have to get it checked out and see what’s going on.”

Fritz trails eighth-placed Holger Rune by 190 points in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin. The American is still entered in next week’s Sofia Open, where if he recovers physically and wins the title, he could earn 250 points. However, if Rune defeats Dominic Thiem in the Paris second round, Fritz will be eliminated from Turin contention.

The player Fritz was set to face next, Daniel Altmaier, won his first-round match against Arthur Fils earlier Tuesday. The German will play the winner of Rune and Thiem in the third round.