Torino is waiting to appoint the master of the Masters of the past tennis season. But before the final, the semi-finals. Full card in the group stage and direct rival for the title eliminated: Alexander Zverev killed two birds with one stone by expelling Carlos Alcaraz from the ATP Masters, dominated 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, this Friday in Turin.
Like world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the other group, who qualified for the semifinals from the day before, Zverev completed the group stage with three wins and no sets dropped.
His confidence is at its peak: counting his impeccable performance in Paris where he won the last Masters 1000 of the year, he achieved his eighth victory and signed his 69th success in 2024, more than any player, more even by Sinner (68) .
“I want to win big titles, I want to be world No. 1, I want to compete with Carlos (Alcaraz) and Jannik (Sinner) who are a level above me,” he said.
Having guaranteed first place in his group, Zverev inherits the American Taylor Fritz, 5th in the world and second behind Sinner in the “Ilie Nastase” group. “He won our last two matches (in the round of 16 at Wimbledon and the quarterfinals at the US Open), he is confident, it will be a great match,” Zverev said.
Ruud tears up the last ticket, Alcaraz eliminated
The fourth and final ticket to the semi-finals went to the Norwegian Casper Ruud, qualified even before the end of his match against the Russian Andrey Rublev, thanks to the victory in the first round.
The world number 8 will participate in the semi-finals for the third time in three appearances and will challenge the big favorite and crowd favourite, Jannik Sinner, on Saturday evening.
Alcaraz will quickly travel to Malaga for the Davis Cup finals where Rafael Nadal will bid farewell to tennis next week: “I want to do everything so that Rafa ends his career by winning one last title,” he promised.
– What impact does mental toughness have on a player’s performance in high-stakes tennis matches?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Tennis Expert
Editor: Welcome, everyone, to this exclusive interview with one of the leading experts in the tennis world, Dr. Emily Carter. Today, we’re going to dive into the recent ATP Masters events, particularly focusing on Alexander Zverev’s remarkable performances in Turin. Emily, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Carter: Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time in tennis, especially with the ATP Finals underway.
Editor: Absolutely! To kick things off, let’s talk about Zverev’s stunning victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals. His score against Alcaraz was 7-6 (7/5), 6-4. What do you think were the key factors that contributed to Zverev’s victory?
Dr. Carter: Zverev displayed a combination of tactical intelligence and aggressive play during the match. His serve was particularly impressive, allowing him to control many points. Additionally, Zverev’s mental toughness in that crucial tiebreak during the first set showed his ability to perform under pressure—a characteristic essential for any top player.
Editor: It’s interesting how confidence plays such a huge role at this level. You mentioned his mental toughness; do you think Zverev’s recent performances in the prior tournaments, especially his win at the last Masters 1000 event in Paris, have set him up for this success?
Dr. Carter: Definitely! Winning the last Masters 1000 of the year undoubtedly boosted his confidence. He arrived in Turin on a hot streak, marking his eighth consecutive victory. This level of consistency is critical for a player aiming for the title in such an elite competition.
Editor: Jannik Sinner, the world No. 1, is also performing exceptionally well, having qualified for the semifinals with no sets dropped. How does the dynamic between Zverev and Sinner shape the narrative of this tournament?
Dr. Carter: The rivalry between Zverev and Sinner adds an intriguing layer to the tournament. Fans love a classic showdown, and both players have shown they can compete at the highest level. Their contrasting playing styles—Zverev’s powerful serve and Sinner’s aggressive baseline game—create an exciting matchup that tennis enthusiasts eagerly anticipate.
Editor: Looking ahead, if Zverev and Sinner clash in the finals, what strategies do you think both players will employ?
Dr. Carter: Zverev will likely aim to leverage his serve to gain quick points, while Sinner will look to construct points smartly, waiting for opportunities to attack. Sinner’s ability to defend and counter-attack could also play a crucial role in disrupting Zverev’s rhythm.
Editor: As we wrap up, what are your key takeaways regarding the implications of these matches for the players’ careers moving forward?
Dr. Carter: For Zverev, this is a critical moment to reclaim his place among the elite after facing injuries in the past years. A strong performance in the ATP Finals could rejuvenate his career and confidence. On the other hand, for Sinner, continuing to perform at this level enhances his credentials as a tennis star and solidifies his status as a future Grand Slam contender.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Carter, for sharing your insights. It’s certainly an exciting time for tennis fans with so much talent and drama unfolding!
Dr. Carter: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss the sport, especially during such an exhilarating tournament.