Norway’s Casper Ruud got off to a strong start in the ATP Finals in Turin, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets on Monday. Alcaraz, the world number three who had previously won titles at the French Open and Wimbledon, struggled with 34 unforced errors in a surprisingly inconsistent performance. This win marked Ruud’s first victory against Alcaraz in their five meetings so far.
Ruud, the 2022 runner-up, expressed his satisfaction with the win, stating, “I had two good experiences in Turin previously. This time of year hasn’t been favourable for me, but hopefully I’ve saved some victories for this week, and I started well.” This victory was a much-needed boost for Ruud, who had faced seven losses in eight matches leading up to this event.
Looking ahead, Ruud will face Andrey Rublev in his second match in the John Newcombe group on Wednesday. With this solid start, Ruud is in a good position to advance to the semi-finals for the third consecutive year at the season-ending event.
On the other hand, Alcaraz will need to bounce back quickly as he faces Alexander Zverev next. A loss in this match would see Alcaraz eliminated from the tournament, making it a crucial match for the Spanish player.
In the match against Alcaraz, Ruud dominated the first set, claiming it in just 36 minutes with a service game to love. Although Alcaraz showed improvement in the second set, taking a 5-2 lead, Ruud fought back to even the score. Alcaraz’s errors resurfaced at crucial moments, allowing Ruud to break back and ultimately serve for the victory. Ruud sealed the win in style with an ace on his third match point, securing a run of five consecutive games.
The ATP Finals in Turin are off to an exciting start, with top players showcasing their skills and determination on the court. As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more thrilling matches and intense competition as players vie for the prestigious title.
