Turin 2024 Groups Alcaraz Rublev | Nitto ATP Finals

Carlos Alcaraz has landed on time at the Nitto ATP Finals, beating Andrey Rublev 6-3, 7-6(8) to retain his chances of qualifying in the John Newcombe Group. In a clash between players defeated on the first day, the Spaniard knew how to assume the small margin of error to draw a match opposite to that of the premiere, recovering the intensity that has taken him to the top of the circuit. If returning to the semi-finals is a first objective, the Murcian took a key step in Turin.

The third seed faced a true test by fire with all the spotlights on his shoulders. After being defeated on Monday with breathing problems, an obstacle that forced him to put aside his training on Tuesday, Alcaraz took to the court forced to get a positive result. The presence of Rublev on the other side of the tape, whom he already defeated in the last edition of the tournament, posed a recognizable scenario for Juan Carlos Ferrero’s pupil.

“I surprised myself,” Alcaraz said of his performance. “The way I played from the baseline, with my serve,… I felt very calm. I tried to stay focused on my game and what I had to do. I tried to forget about not feeling well and being sick “.

“When you enter the court you have to forget everything. You must put your problems aside, try to focus on hitting a good forehand, a good backhand and maintaining good tactics against your opponent. I think I have done very well, I have surprised myself to myself.”

The Spaniard clung to memory to catch a match full of danger. With a band-aid on his nose to facilitate the entry of oxygen, Alcaraz launched himself to compete face to face with Rublev’s right, one of the fiercest blows in the locker room. In one of the most anticipated duels of the group stage, Carlos adapted to the conditions of Turin, chaining the last four of the first set as a message of authority.

The versatility in the game showed improved sensations in Alcaraz, capable of using his mischievous tricks to break Rublev’s calm. In a second set without breaks and with the aroma of an ultimatum for Andrey, the Spaniard knew how to wait for his moment to deal the final blow to the match in the tiebreaker.

“In the last few games I couldn’t get good drop shots. And I was wondering ‘what’s happening’?” Alcaraz said. “My game is based on using this type of hitting, on enjoying the game. So I tried it again today. I also felt pretty good running from the baseline.”

“I’ve had a lot of options in my mind. If I can move well, if I run well down the court, I have more options. I’m glad to see that ‘Option A’ of running and playing good points from the baseline has worked out.” “.

The victory allows Alcaraz to regain dominance (2-1) in the Lexus ATP Head2Head history against Rublev, his executioner this season on the way to the trophy on the clay of the Mutua Madrid Open. The conditions covered were once again an element dominated in the face-to-face by the Spaniard, who emerged unscathed against a player with multiple crowns indoor in his record.

Alcaraz faces the second participation of his career in the Nitto ATP Finals. The Murcian, who in 2023 managed to make his way to the semifinals, aspires to become the third Spanish champion in the history of the tournament in individual mode, following in the footsteps of Manuel Orantes (1976) and Àlex Corretja (1998).

For his part, Rublev is left with limited options to survive the group stage after a string of two defeats in Turin. The world No., one of the most experienced players with five consecutive appearances at the Nitto ATP Finals, has his personal best performance in the tournament in the 2022 semifinals.

The second day of the John Newcombe Group will be completed this Wednesday in the night session. In a duel between players who debuted with victory in the round robintwo-time German champion Alexander Zverev will face former Norwegian finalist Casper Ruud.