ATP Finals: Alexander Zverev Wins Opener Like Carlos Alcaraz; Musetti Replaces Djokovic

ATP Finals: Alexander Zverev Wins Opener Like Carlos Alcaraz; Musetti Replaces Djokovic

Carlos Alcaraz began the ATP Finals on Sunday with a solid 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 victory over Alex de Minaur, while former champion Alexander Zverev also secured a straight-sets win against Ben Shelton.

This marked the first time the Spaniard won his opening match at the finals, having previously lost to Zverev and Casper Ruud in the past two years.

“This tournament is one of the best we have on tour," world number two Alcaraz stated.

“I've struggled in the past to stay motivated towards the end of the year. This year feels different, and I'm proud of doing the right things to give myself a chance to win this tournament."

The match in Turin wasn't entirely straightforward. Leading 4-1 and pushing for 5-1 in the first set, Alcaraz experienced a sudden dip, struggling with his first serves and allowing the seventh seed De Minaur to level the score.

Trailing 3-1 and then 5-3 in the tiebreak, Alcaraz regained his form to level and then break De Minaur, winning the first set.

Despite an early service loss, the second set was more straightforward as Alcaraz cruised to his fifth victory in as many meetings with the Australian.

“It was a really difficult match," said Alcaraz.

“On this surface, Alex makes the most of the speed of the ball, he's super fast and really difficult on return.

“I'm just really happy to get through this really difficult challenge, and happy with how I'm playing."

Alcaraz and De Minaur are in the Jimmy Connors Group, which also includes American sixth seed Taylor Fritz and Italy's Lorenzo Musetti, who replaced the injured Novak Djokovic of Serbia.

Later on Sunday, third seed Zverev defeated Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) in the first match of the Bjorn Borg Group, also featuring Italian top seed Jannik Sinner and Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime.

In a clash between two of the sport's biggest servers, Zverev broke the American fifth seed twice in the first set, leading after less than half an hour on court.

The second set moved towards a tiebreak with few break opportunities for either player.

The 2018 and 2021 winner started the tiebreak sluggishly, with Shelton earning three set points at 6-3. However, Zverev began his comeback with a superb backhand passing shot, eventually sealing match point as Shelton hit long after a lengthy rally.

“In the tie-break, he started off amazing," Zverev said. “I felt like I had to control the things that I could control.

“I did that well at the end of the tie-break and I'm super happy with that win."

(With inputs from Agencies)

Source: News18
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