Carlos Alcaraz's Nitto ATP Finals campaign begins with a loss to Alexander Zverev
On Monday, two-time champion Alexander Zverev spoiled Carlos Alcaraz's Nitto ATP Finals debut by defeating the Spaniard 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-4.
The German is making his sixth appearance at the prestigious year-end event, having previously won the title in Turin in 2021 and London in 2018. Zverev used his experience well against Alcaraz, remaining composed on serve and from the baseline to move to 1-0 in Red Group play.
After blowing a break advantage in the first set, the World No. 7 stayed positive, with his depth and consistency causing Alcaraz problems in the second and third sets.
Last year, Zverev was unable to compete due to a right ankle injury sustained during his Roland Garros semi-final against Rafael Nadal. He walked gingerly between points in the final stages of his match against Alcaraz after injuring his left ankle in the third set, but was able to see out the match.
"I didn't twist my ankle. I kind of slipped. There was a pain for a while and I don't think any damage has been done," Zverev said on his fall. "I hope not and we will see when it settles down. It is nothing comparable to Paris."
Alcaraz responded to falling behind an early break in front of a packed Pala Alpitour crowd by striking back immediately, showing good touch to pull Zverev from corner to corner.
At 6-5, the Spaniard blasted a forehand winner to take the lead and advanced to set point with good touch at the net.
The German, however, saved both set points from 15/40 by hitting a second serve ace at 135 mph before finding another first serve at 30/40 that Alcaraz could only return into the net. But the Spaniard would not be denied, winning the tie-break whilst playing with trademark intensity.
At the start of the second set, Zverev was on the defensive, facing a break point in the first game. However, Alcaraz hit a backhand into the net, and the momentum of the set shifted.
When Alcaraz decided to leave a ball that had dropped in, the German gained the decisive break of the third set in the fifth game. Zverev then fell over on his ankle in the following game while moving out wide to hit a forehand. He was able to get back on his feet and improve to 54-26 on the season.
Alcaraz is aiming for his seventh title of the season and his first since winning his second major title at Wimbledon in July. The 20-year-old, who missed last year's event due to injury, is the youngest player in the eight-man field and aims to become the Nitto ATP Finals' youngest champion since Pete Sampras in 1991. He is still alive in Turin due to the round-robin format.
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