Key occasions
Alcaraz 0-1 Ruud* (*denotes server) Ruud will get the primary factors on the board after Alcaraz hits one lengthy however the Spaniard then goes 30-15 up with two highly effective backhands. Ruud then nets a forehand however makes up for it with an ace. He holds off one other break level to take it to deuce and the 2 swap benefits for some time however it’s Ruud who attracts first blood after the Spaniard nets a drop shot.
One of many causes Ruud is so good on clay is as a result of he has a bit extra time to arrange his forehand. It’s much more rushed on the hardcourts however he did effectively to maneuver Alcaraz round within the first sport.
Yesterday, Sinner received off to a successful begin and Medvedev had a little bit of a tantrum. Learn our report beneath.
And we’re about to start out at the moment’s play. Ruud received the toss and elected to serve.
Alcaraz is making simply his second look on the ATP Finals after reaching the semis final 12 months. He misplaced his opening match Alexander Zverev and informed the ATP web site that he’s hoping to make a quick begin this 12 months.
Final 12 months was a troublesome finish of the 12 months for me. I couldn’t play at my finest. The final two matches right here have been fairly good matches for me however the earlier two, three tournaments I didn’t play at my finest, so I realised I needed to change a bit of bit at the moment of the 12 months, which I did this 12 months.
I come right here a bit of bit completely different. I strategy this event a bit of in another way, realizing there are issues I’ve to vary if I’m to have an excellent outcome right here and go far. Final 12 months I didn’t begin effectively from the primary matches. I’ll attempt to play the identical degree and can attempt to play good tennis. I’m coming right here with numerous motivation.
The gamers are out on the courtroom and now warming up. Big cheers for Alcaraz as he walks in, as anticipated. Ruud would be the underdog on this match and taking part in towards the gang.
This pair’s head-to-head file doesn’t bode effectively for Ruud, with Alcaraz successful all 4 of their matches. Their final assembly was within the quarter-finals of the 2023 Beijing Open on exhausting courtroom which the Spaniard received 6-4, 6-2.
For these new to tennis, the ATP Finals is the largest males’s tennis occasion after the 4 grand slams and the format is kind of completely different to different occasions.
The highest eight gamers are separated into two teams of 4 the place they every play three round-robin matches. After the group stage, the highest two face off within the semi-finals and a remaining to find out the winner.
Preamble
Hey and welcome to our reside weblog of the ATP Finals group stage match between Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud. The 2 are the primary to face off within the John Newcombe Group on the Inalpi Area.
Alcaraz has had a unbelievable 12 months, successful two grand slams and successful silver on the Olympics. The world No 3 has an opportunity to maneuver up a spot within the year-end rankings ought to he do effectively right here in Turin.
Ruud, then again, epitomises the saying ‘at all times the bridesmaid, by no means the bride’. The world No 7 is a three-time slam finalist and likewise completed second on the 2022 ATP finals, shedding 7-5, 6-3 to Novak Djokovic. He misplaced three ATP finals early on this 12 months earlier than successful in Barcelona and Geneva.
Be a part of me for the 1pm GMT begin and, as at all times, ship me an electronic mail if in case you have any ideas, predictions, questions, or complaints you wish to share.
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