Carlos Alcaraz was forced to quit his Paris Masters quarter-final on Friday with fears that an abdominal injury may derail the No. 1 with the ATP Finals starting in nine days in Turin.
The 19-year-old handed over a 6-3, 6-6(1) win to Hulger Rune, who has won 17 of his past 19 matches and stands a semi-final victory away from his fourth consecutive Tour final.
He will square off on Saturday at the Bercy arena in a re-run of last Sunday’s Basel final where he lost to Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Alcaraz said an abdominal muscle problem left him unable to go on as he retired after 97 minutes on court.
“I have (to have) tests before Turin,” Alcaraz said. :I’m trying to be at the 100 per cent.
“I cannot stretch, I couldn’t serve well, I couldn’t hit the forehand well. When I turn my body, I feel it.
“Playing like that with problems in my mind, it’s better to retire.”
Rune said: ““I thought it was a great match, unlucky for him. I think we both played very well and I was super focused.”
