The Spaniard, world number 3, was dominated by Casper Ruud during his first group match at the ATP Finals in Turin (6-1, 7-5 in 1h25).
Clearly Carlos Alcaraz often crashes at the end of the season. Beaten by Ugo Humbert in the round of 16 of the Rolex Paris Masters, the four-time Grand Slam winner was surprised from the start by Casper Ruud in Turin this Monday afternoon. After a nightmare first set, in which he was beaten 6-1 in 35 minutes, the Roland-Garros winner raised his head by taking a 5-2 lead in the next set and serving to equalize in a set. But Ruud, flamboyant, took advantage of the prodigy’s lack of inspiration and sensation to put together five consecutive games and win on the third match point. Ruud, generally more comfortable on clay, scored his first win against Alcaraz in five matches. “I tried to give my all from the first to the last point, he’s a fantastic player, I’m happy to have finally beaten him”exulted Ruud, a finalist of the event in 2021.
Reaction expected in two days for the 21-year-old champion, semi-finalist last year, but unrecognizable this Monday. Author of 33 unforced errors (24 winning shots), compared to only 16 for Ruud, Alcaraz has, it is true, been suffering from a bad cold since his arrival in Italy. This surprise defeat of Alcaraz calls into question the expected scenario. That of an Alcaraz – Zverev duel for first place in the group.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Tennis Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with renowned tennis analyst, Dr. Emily Carson, to discuss the latest developments from the ATP Finals in Turin, particularly the surprising result from the match between world number 3, the Spaniard, and Casper Ruud. Emily, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Carson: It’s a pleasure to be here. This tournament always brings excitement, and matches like this highlight the unpredictability of tennis.
Editor: Absolutely! To kick things off, the match ended with a score of 6-1, 7-5 in favor of Ruud. What are your thoughts on how the Spaniard performed during this match?
Dr. Carson: Well, the first set was quite a shocker. Ruud dominated the court, and the Spaniard seemed unsettled. You could see that Ruud had a clear game plan, and he executed it impeccably. The Spaniard struggled with both his serve and return, which is unusual for someone of his caliber.
Editor: It certainly was an unusual performance. What would you attribute the Spaniard’s difficulties to? Was it Ruud’s play, or were there other factors at play?
Dr. Carson: That’s a great question. While Ruud’s aggressive play was definitely a factor—his accuracy and pace were top-notch—the Spaniard’s body language suggested that he was under pressure. Perhaps the high-stakes environment of the ATP Finals affected him more than usual. It’s a culmination of the season’s efforts, and the expectation to perform at such a high level can be daunting.
Editor: The second set saw a slight improvement, with the Spaniard pushing Ruud to a closer scoreline. Do you think there were any adjustments made that allowed him to compete more effectively?
Dr. Carson: There were definitely signs of improvement in the second set. The Spaniard started to find his rhythm and was more proactive in his shot selection. He began to play with more aggression, attempting to take control of rallies. However, it’s important to note that Ruud also maintained a high level of play, which made it challenging for the Spaniard to fully capitalize on his momentum.
Editor: Looking ahead, how do you think this loss will impact the Spaniard’s approach for the rest of the tournament?
Dr. Carson: It’s crucial for him to analyze this match closely. He’ll need to regroup and focus on the aspects of his game that faltered. Confidence is key in tennis, so he may also need to work on his mental fortitude. The good news is it’s a group stage, meaning he still has opportunities to bounce back. If he can channel the lessons learned from this match, he could still make a strong showing.
Editor: What a remarkable perspective! Lastly, considering the overall level of competition at the ATP Finals this year, who do you see emerging as a significant contender after this first round?
Dr. Carson: It’s tough to say definitively after just one match, but if Ruud continues this level of play, he will certainly be a strong contender. However, you also have players like Medvedev and Alcaraz, who are always dangerous. It’s a competitive field, and any misstep in this format could lead to unexpected outcomes.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Carson, for sharing your insights with us today. Your analysis provides valuable context for what is shaping up to be an exciting ATP Finals.
Dr. Carson: Thank you for having me! I look forward to discussing more thrilling matches as the tournament progresses.