‘Solid’ Zverez eases past Rublev as Alcaraz falters against Ruud

Author: APP

Alexander Zverev opened his campaign at the ATP Finals in Turin on Monday evening by dispatching Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-4 in their round-robin opener.

In the afternoon match, Casper Ruud romped through the opening set before fighting back from 5-2 behind in the second to beat an out-sorts Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 7-5.

Germany’s Zverev had last faced Russian Rublev at the same stage of the finals in 2023 and won by the same score.

Zverev, a two-time winner of this event in 2018 and 2021, moved to second in the John Newcombe group, behind Norway’s Ruud.

The 27-year-old Zverev, the recent winner of the Paris Masters 1000, has climbed back to No.2 in the world this season. After an injury-hit 2022 season he had briefly dropped out of the top 25 in 2023.

“I was never sure I was going to get back to this level,” Zverev said on the court in Turin. “Second year in a row for me here. I still want to get better. I still want to improve on a few things. We’ll see how next year goes.”

Rublev held to love in his first three service games. He won a 13th straight point on serve to open the crucial seventh game, but Zverev then won the next four to break to 15.

Zverev did not allow a break point against his serve all match and converted immediately both times he had the chance. “I thought it was a very solid match from my end,” said Zverev.

“Andrey is an incredible player, but everyone who plays here is an unbelievable player.

“Against anyone here, you have to play your best to have a chance, you have to be solid, mentally strong. I feel like I did that today, I felt like I used my chances quite well and I’m obviously happy with this win.”

Share
Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

  • Pakistan

Light rains forecast from Nov 14-16 likely to reduce Punjab smog

Light rains from Nov. 14-16 in most districts of Punjab are likely to reduce smog…

1 hour ago
  • World

Trump meets Biden at White House to discuss power transfer

President-elect Donald Trump returned to the White House on Wednesday for the first time since…

1 hour ago
  • Pakistan

Number of field hospitals, ‘Clinics on Wheels’ to be increased: CM Punjab

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz promised on Wednesday that "all resources will be spent on…

1 hour ago
  • Pakistan

Lahore ranks second on global pollution index amid smog crisis

Punjab's capital Lahore ranked world's second most polluted city on the global pollution charts due…

1 hour ago
  • Pakistan

IMF mulls stricter review of Pakistan bailout package

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is considering reverting back to a three-month review schedule of…

1 hour ago
  • Pakistan

Naqvi highlights Pakistan’s commitment to legal migration pathways

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has emphasised the need for comprehensive strategies to address irregular migration,…

1 hour ago