Alcaraz into Paris Masters quarterfinals

PARIS, France — Carlos Alcaraz moved into the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters on Thursday (Friday in Manila) after his last 16 opponent Matteo Berrettini withdrew. Alcaraz, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, was scheduled to play the Italian, but Berrettini pulled out ahead of their encounter with an elbow injury. “Unfortunately, the pain in my arm that I’ve been putting up with for the past few days means I won’t be able to take to the court tonight,” Berrettini posted on social media. After receiving a bye through the first round as a top-eight seed, Alcaraz is into the last eight with only one match under his belt in Paris, a straight-sets success against Alex Michelsen. He will meet American Taylor Fritz on Friday for a spot in the semifinals. Fritz beat French sixth seed Arthur Fils, 6-3, 6-4, to stay in the running for a place at the ATP Finals. Alcaraz has never won the Paris Masters. The Spaniard is the top-ranked player remaining in the draw after world number one Alexander Zverev lost on Wednesday. Berrettini, 30, has endured an injury-plagued career and was forced to retire earlier this season in Paris when a hip issue brought a premature end to his French Open...