Carlos Alcaraz showed remarkable determination at the ATP Tour Finals in Turin, managing to defeat Andrey Rublev despite battling a health issue. The 21-year-old Spaniard had to cut his practice session short on Tuesday due to a chest complaint but still secured a straight-sets win with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (10-8). Alcaraz, the third seed, wore a noticeable pink nasal strip during the match to aid his breathing. In the first set, he stormed to a 6-3 lead, winning four consecutive games and securing a double break in just 37 minutes. He maintained his focus on strategy, playing confidently from the baseline, which was crucial to his success.
The second set was far more contested, as Rublev pushed Alcaraz to a tense tie-break. Despite a rocky start in the set, Alcaraz managed to hold his ground, ultimately prevailing with a score of 10-8 in the tie-break. Over the course of the match, Alcaraz hit an impressive 33 winners, compared to Rublev’s 14. He credited his calm approach to the victory, stating that he concentrated solely on his game plan and ignored the physical discomfort. Following his win, Alcaraz wrote "Valencia" on a TV monitor, a gesture of solidarity with fellow Spaniards affected by recent flooding in the region. His victory was especially satisfying after a disappointing loss to Casper Ruud earlier in the tournament.
Rublev, who was the eighth seed, struggled to capitalize on his opportunities, including a promising start at 30-0 in a crucial second-set service game. The Russian has faced difficulties at the ATP Finals, having now lost six consecutive matches in straight sets since reaching the semi-finals in 2022. Alcaraz's movement and sharpness were notably improved from his previous match, aided by the use of a chest rub during breaks. He will face Alexander Zverev in his final round-robin match on Friday, a clash that will be pivotal for his chances to advance. Meanwhile, Rublev’s future in the tournament hangs in the balance, depending on the results of the upcoming match between Zverev and Ruud. If Ruud triumphs, he will secure a semi-final spot and eliminate Rublev from contention.
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