Fritz Survives Molcan Scare to Reach Paris Last 16

Taylor Fritz survived a major scare at the Paris Masters on Wednesday, edging past qualifier Alex Molcan 6-7 (6), 7-5, 7-6 (5) to reach the last 16. The eleventh seed lost the opening set in a tiebreak and was pushed to the limit throughout by an opponent with nothing to lose, but he found a way through in two more tiebreak sets to stay alive in the final Masters 1000 event of the season. It was exactly the kind of match that can derail a campaign, and Fritz will know he escaped rather than dominated. Molcan, who came through qualifying, played with freedom and belief, and for long stretches looked capable of producing another upset on a day already full of them in Paris. Fritz's composure in the decisive moments ultimately told, as he held his nerve when the match was on the line in the third-set tiebreak. The win keeps the American in contention in Paris, where the draw has opened up dramatically after the early exits of several top seeds. Fritz will need to raise his level in the next round, but surviving a match like this can sometimes be the making of a deep run.