Carlos Alcaraz has been one of this generation’s most promising tennis players. The Spaniard opened his account at the ATP Finals on Wednesday. With an entertaining 6-3, 7-6 (10/8) win over Andrey Rublev. The victory lifts Alcaraz off the bottom of the John Newcombe Group. Despite dealing with tiredness and sickness before the match, he was in top form against his opponent.
Alcaraz’s participation in the event was at risk when he abruptly ended his training session on Tuesday due to respiratory problems. His coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, verified the health issues. Despite the hurdles, Alcaraz was motivated to perform at a high level. He concentrate solely on tennis during his encounter with Rublev. Carlos Alcaraz, wore a pink nasal strip to help him breathe.
The 21-year-old grabbed charge of Wednesday’s match by winning four straight games after falling 2-3 in the opening set. He was helped in that period by some erratic ball hitting from Rublev. As the latter regained his composure to compete effectively in a second set with no break points. But could not deny Alcaraz a straight-set triumph.
The Roland Garros and Wimbledon winner remained calm and composed in the second-set tie-break. Saving set chances at 5/6 and 7/8 before sealing victory to take a 2-1 lead in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series versus Rublev. The Spaniard’s previous victory against the World No. 8 came in a Nitto ATP Finals group-stage meeting, at the 2023 edition of the prestigious season finale. The 21-year-old will face Alexander Zverev on Friday.
As he tries to reach the Turin semi-finals for the second year in a row. The match may determine who progresses to the Nitto ATP Finals elimination round, as well as who finishes the year as World No. 2. Zverev is presently second in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin, 505 points ahead of Alcaraz. Alcaraz on court after beating Rublev said, “Today I really wanted to step on the court and just think about tennis, try to play a high level.”
