Auger-Aliassime, Rublev through to ATP Finals as Fritz, Nadal lose

Felix Auger-Aliassime and Andrey Rublev qualified for ATP Finals after Taylor Fritz and Hubert Hurkacz, or contenders for two remaining spots, lost in second round of Paris Masters. 

Eighth-seeded Auger-Aliassime outlasted qualifier Mikael Ymer 6-7 (6), 6-4, 7-6 (6) to next play wild-card entry Gilles Simon, who overcame ninth-seeded Fritz 7-5, 5-7, 6-4. 

Auger-Aliassime saved 14 of 17 break points and converted four of five to extend his winning streak to 14 matches. 

Fritz failed to convert three set points on Simon's serve at 5-4 in opening set. American also failed to convert any of three break points he h at 3-2 in final set. He me 36 unforced errors to 16 for Simon, who is ranked 188th and plans to retire after this tournament. 

Teenr Holger Rune stunned 10th-seeded Hurkacz 7-5, 6-1 to meet Rublev, who reached third round on Tuesday. 

Before Paris Masters, Carlos Alcaraz, Stefas Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud, Daniil Medvedev, Rafael Nal and vak Djokovic h alrey qualified for eight-man tournament in Turin from v. 13-20. 

Alcaraz, Tsitsipas, Alex de Minaur and Lorenzo Musetti also vanced to third round in Paris, while Nal's 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1 loss to Tommy Paul raised questions about his fitness in his first singles match since U.S. Open. 

second-seeded Nal me 19 unforced errors to 18 for Paul and dropped serve three times in final set, almost looking resigned. 

At end, I need days on tour, Nal said. It's true that for last five months I didn't spend eugh days on tour. I don't even say competing on a tennis court. I say on tour. Practicing with guys. That's what I need.

Paul next plays Pablo Carre Busta, who edged Denis Shapovalov 7-6 (2), 2-6, 6-4. 

De Minaur upset fourth-seeded Medvedev 6-4, 2-6, 7-5 to next face Frances Tiafoe, who beat Jack Draper 6-3, 7-5. 

De Minaur beat Medvedev for first time in five meetings. 

After rallying from a 2-0 deficit in final set, De Minaur failed to convert his first two match points at 5-4. He hit a return out on first match point and me an unforced error on second. 

But Australian got two more chances at 6-5. Medvedev saved third match point with a service winner before double-faulting on fourth and angrily throwing his racket to ground. 

I'm gl I played a very tactical match, De Minaur told Tennis Channel. I just tried to wait for my right ball and just back myself and back my volley."

Medvedev, who won Paris Masters in 2020 and was runner-up last year, dropped serve in first set by overhitting a smash in final game. But Russian capitalized on unforced errors by De Minaur to break twice in second set. 

top-seeded Alcaraz downed Yoshihito Nishioka 6-4, 6-4 to rack up more points in his chase for year-end . 1 ranking. 

Alcaraz hit 30 winners to seven for Japanese player and will next play Grigor Dimitrov who dispatched lucky loser Fabio Fognini 6-0, 7-5. 

Fifth-seeded Tsitsipas beat Daniel Evans 6-3, 6-4 to le ATP tour with 58 wins this year. 

Tsitsipas raced to a 3-0 le in first set. He n hit a forehand winner across court to break Evans in opening game of second, before converting his first match point with an ace.

'm happy with level of tennis I brought when I h to, Tsitsipas said. I was moving well, I was dictating well. I combined everything, including my defense."

Tsitsipas will take on Corentin Moutet, who beat Cameron rrie 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (3).