Carlos Alcaraz looked in better form as he beat Andrey Rublev to get his first win at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. The world No. 3 revealed after his opening defeat to Casper Ruud that he had been sick ahead of the tournament, but he shook that off to overcome Rublev in straight sets. Ruud and Alexander Zverev meet later on Wednesday in the group.
Carlos Alcaraz kickstarted his Nitto ATP Finals campaign with victory over Andrey Rublev in the John Newcombe Group.
The world No. 3 struggled with illness in his opening defeat to Casper Ruud but looked improved as he saved two set points in the second set on his way to a 6-3 7-6(8) win over Rublev.
The result moves Alcaraz to one win in the group alongside Ruud and Alexander Zverev, who meet later on Wednesday. Rublev’s chances of progression are slim after two losses.
“I surprised myself the way I played today from the baseline,” said Alcaraz.
“I just tried to be focused on my game and what I had to do and forget that I am not feeling well, I am sick, other stuff. Once you step on the court you have to forget anything you are struggling with outside the court and put your focus on hitting a good forehand, a good backhand.”
Both players needed a win to breathe life into their qualification hopes, and it was Alcaraz who made the better start.
He missed two chances to break in the fifth game after a brilliant drop shot but took his next opportunity to move 4-3 ahead.
From 40-15, Rublev lost four points in a row on serve, with Alcaraz sealing the first break with a crushing forehand down the line.
A second break saw Alcaraz take the set, coming from 0-30 down and claiming the game when Rublev fired a forehand long.
Alcaraz pressured Rublev’s serve early in the second set, getting to deuce in the second game after some impressive defence followed by a forehand passing shot.
