Casper Ruud stuns Carlos Alcaraz with a 6-1, 7-5 win at the ATP Finals. © Twittter(@CasperRuudARG )
Turin, 11 November 2024 – Casper Ruud stunned an off-form Carlos Alcaraz in the opening match of his ATP Finals campaign, securing a dominant straight-set victory 6-1, 7-5. The 25-year-old Norwegian, ranked sixth, clinched his 50th win of the season but only his third in his last 12 meetings against the Spanish star. The victory marked a significant confidence boost for Ruud, who has recently struggled with his form.
In a disappointing performance, Alcaraz, the third seed, committed 34 unforced errors and lost his first match to Ruud in five encounters. His struggles were evident as he failed to find his rhythm, with less than 50% of his first serves landing in play during the first set.
Ruud, who had previously expressed doubts about his form, capitalized on Alcaraz’s mistakes, particularly in the opening set. After saving two break points in the first game, Casper Ruud broke Alcaraz’s serve early in the match, giving him a decisive advantage. The Spaniard continued to falter, sending several shots wide, including a forehand that went out of bounds to give Ruud a double break.
After a clinical 6-1 win in the first set, Ruud appeared to be in control but faced a much more competitive Alcaraz in the second. The Spaniard fought back, dropping just one point in his first three service games before breaking Ruud for the first time. However, Ruud responded swiftly, earning break-back points with a perfectly placed lob and capitalizing on Alcaraz’s mistakes.
As Alcaraz’s errors continued to mount, Ruud broke again to serve for the match. With an ace on his third match point, he sealed the win after a string of five consecutive games. Visibly relieved and happy with his performance, Ruud admitted, “It’s only one match, but it’s one of the best wins of the season for me.
On the other hand, Alcaraz acknowledged that his physical condition may have affected his game. “Before coming here, I was unwell at home. I hoped things would get better, but I didn’t feel completely well during the match,” said the 21-year-old, citing stomach issues that made him uncomfortable on the court.
Zverev Overpowers Rublev in Straight Sets
Later in the day, Alexander Zverev, the second seed and a two-time ATP Finals champion, demonstrated his precision and mental toughness to defeat Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-4 in their opening match of the John Newcombe Group.
The match was tightly contested in the early stages, with Rublev, the eighth seed, holding serve without dropping a point in the first six games. However, Alexander Zverev found his breakthrough at 15-40, when Rublev misfired a forehand deep into the baseline, allowing the German to take the first set.
In the second set, Rublev struggled with his consistency, while Zverev capitalized on his chances, breaking Rublev’s serve at 5-4. With an ace to close out the match, Zverev secured his 67th win of the season, the most on the tour, and took a crucial step towards securing his place in the next round of the Finals.
Zverev, who had previously defeated Rublev in the group stages of the 2023 ATP Finals, noted that this victory was just as important. “I felt solid throughout the match,” Zverev said. “Against anyone here, you have to play your best to have a chance. I used my chances well and am happy with the win.
Ruud and Zverev have set the tone with impressive victories in their opening matches, but the tournament is far from over. Zverev will next face Daniil Medvedev on Tuesday, while Jannik Sinner, crowned the year-end world number one, will play against Taylor Fritz in another exciting matchup. The ATP Finals continue to showcase top-level tennis, with the competition intensifying as players look to make their mark in Turin.
This year’s ATP Finals feature some of the world’s best players. With. With Ruud’s stunning performance against Alcaraz and Zverev’s ruthless win over Rublev, fans can expect more thrilling action as the tournament progresses.
