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Thanks to strong service: Alexander Zverev (ATP 7) defeated Carlos Alcaraz (ATP 2) in 3 sets at the ATP Finals.
Alexander Zverev caused a surprise at the start of the ATP Finals in Turin. The 26-year-old German defeated second-seeded Carlos Alcaraz 6:7 (3:7), 6:3, 6:4. In front of 12,000 fans in the sold-out Pala Alpitour, Zverev used his first match point after 2:31 hours.
The tournament winner from 2018 and 2021 opened the door to the semi-finals. Zverev will face Russians Daniil Medvedev and Andrej Rublew in the group stage. The two best-placed teams make it to the last four.
The service is the main reason
Zverev created his chances with strong service from the start – but missed four break points in the first set when the score was 3:3, whereupon Alcaraz showed his class. The seventh in the world rankings, who had lost the previous two meetings this year in Madrid and New York against the Spanish top star without winning a set, came back afterwards.
With three aces in one game, Zverev won the second round and also kept his nerve in the decisive set. Even a fall in the third round didn’t disrupt Zverev’s rhythm.
Medvedev convinces against Rublev
Daniil Medvedev won his opening game against his Russian compatriot Andrei Rublew 6:4, 6:2 on Monday evening. The world number three left a very strong impression at times. His compatriot held up well in the first set, but missed 4 break points in a hard-fought final game. In the second round, Rublev’s resistance faded and after 1:31 hours Medvedev converted his first match point.
The Russian will face Zverev in his second group game on Wednesday, while Alcaraz will face Rublew on the same day.