Matching Report
Back to business! Alcaraz sinks Rublev at Nitto ATP Finals
Spain is tied 1-1 in the John Newcombe Group, and faces Zverev next
November 13, 2024
Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Andrey Rublev on Wednesday at the Nitto ATP Finals.
Written by Andy West
After a rough start at the Nitto ATP Finals, Carlos Alcaraz is off to a flying start in Turin.
The Spaniard eased past Andrey Rublev 6-3, 7-6(8) on Wednesday afternoon at the Inalpi Arena in an impressive response to his shock loss to Casper Ruud. Alcaraz, who suffered a stomach problem against Ruud, was back to full form, with momentum in his 96th minute win against Rublev.
“I was surprised,” Alcaraz said, when asked about his performance despite feeling under the weather. “The way I played today from the beginning, with my performance. I was really calm. I just tried to focus on my game and what I have to do and forget that I don't feel well and that I'm sick.
“When you step on the court, you have to forget about everything, your struggles outside the court, and try to focus on hitting the forehand, a good backhand, and making good tactics against the opponent. I thought I did that well, and I was surprised.”
CARLOS CAN'T BE 💎
No. 3 seeds @carlosalcaraz he finds strength from within and keeps his hopes alive with a crucial victory for Rublev! #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/2PIKTtRnir
– ATP Tour (@atptour) November 13, 2024
Sporting a pink nasal strip to help her breathe, Alcaraz dominated Wednesday's match by hitting four straight games from 2-3 in the first set. In that process he was helped by hitting a stray ball from Rublev, who was able to compete well in the second set with no break points but still could not deny Alcaraz a straight sets win.
Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Alcaraz kept his cool in the second break, holding points at 5/6 and 7/8 before closing out the win to take a 2-1 lead in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series against -Rublev. The Spaniard's previous victory against World No. 8 also saw the meeting of the Nitto ATP Finals team, in the 2023 edition of the season's premier finals.
Even against one of the ATP Tour's strongest hitters, Alcaraz's ability to win points from all corners of the court stood out. He hit 31 winners to Rublev's 14, a tally that included plenty of trademark drop shots and impressive forehand passes from deep.
“I feel like in the last few games I couldn't hit good balls, and I was thinking, 'What's going on?'” Alcaraz said. “My style, my game, is about playing these types of shots and enjoying the game. So I tried to do it today. I felt good from the start and, running.
“There was so much I could do in my mind. If I go well, I run well from the start, I have a lot of options. I'm very happy that the 'Option A' of running and playing good points from the baseline, I made it happen.”
Alcaraz is back in action as he tries to renew his bid for a fifth tour-level title in 2024. He did not face a break point and won 84 percent (37/44) of the points after his first serve, according to Infosys ATP. Statistics.
Next up for the 21-year-old as he chases a place in the semi-finals in Turin for the second year in a row is a clash with Alexander Zverev on Friday. As well as deciding who advances to the Nitto ATP Finals, that clash could be crucial in the battle to end the year as World No. 2. Zverev is currently second in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, 505 points clear. in the third Alcaraz.
