‘Old’ Alexander Zverev looks forward to battle with Carlos Alcaraz

TURIN – Alexander Zverev wants to prove that he can compete with the younger generation of tennis stars, and the 27-year-old is eagerly anticipating his ATP Finals clash with Carlos Alcaraz on Nov 15.

The German world No. 2 put on a punishing display against Norway’s Casper Ruud on Nov 13 to prevail in straight sets 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, and all but ensure a spot in the last four with his second win from as many matches.

He took charge of the clash in the tiebreak at the end of the first set, which before then had gone entirely with serve, and the pair exchanged blows until Zverev broke in Game 8 of the second set and then served to love to win.

“I think it was a very good match actually from both of us,” said Zverev on the Turin court.

“I’m happy to win today but it was very, very close. One or two points decided the first set and I thought the level was very high from both of us.

“Maybe it was even better than my first match, even though the first match was quite good as well. I’m looking forward to Carlos now on Friday and, hopefully, more matches at the weekend.”

The leader of the John Newcombe Group can eliminate Alcaraz (1-1) in his final match of the group stage, when Ruud (1-1) takes on Russia’s Andrey Rublev (0-2).

Zverev, who clinched his Tour-leading 68th victory of 2024, is seeking to win his third ATP Finals title after 2018 and 2021.

He is competing at the season-ending tournament for the seventh time, has a 16-9 win-loss record and crucially has more experience than his younger rivals.

“It means I’m old,” joked the German when his long history with the ATP Finals was pointed out to him.

“But I still don’t feel old. I hope I have another solid 10 years ahead of me (to compete against) a young group of guys. There has been kind of a shift in tennis this year and I think it’s a good thing. They’re exciting new players and everybody loves watching them.”

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner of Italy, 23, is one of them, and, of course, the 21-year-old four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz is another.

The Spaniard, who beat Rublev on Nov 13, is also looking forward to facing Zverev. The duo are 5-5 in their head-to-head record, but Alcaraz has won their last two matches.

“Obviously, I have to play at a great level to be able to win,” Alcaraz said.

“Tennis is a very mental sport and the way you talk to yourself before matches is very important. Again, when I face the best, I have to play at a great level. I have a lot of confidence and that will help me be ready on court.”

Sinner, meanwhile, sealed a semi-final spot from the Ilie Nastase Group ahead of his late match against Daniil Medvedev after Taylor Fritz’s 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Alex de Minaur on Nov 14.

Chasing his eighth title of the year, home crowd favourite Sinner will be aiming to go one better after losing in the 2023 final to Novak Djokovic.

Elsewhere, retired footballer Diego Forlan swung and missed on court with Argentina’s Federico Coria as his tennis doubles pro debut ended in a 6-1, 6-2 defeat by Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos of Bolivia at the Uruguay Open on Nov 13.

The former Uruguay striker buckled under the pressure as the duo were outplayed by their dynamic opponents, managing just 27 points in the 47-minute match.

“I enjoyed it quite a lot. I knew that the possibility of it being a difficult game for us was very high. But I was happy. It’s not easy at all,” he said.

The 45-year-old enjoyed a brilliant career with Uruguay, scoring 36 goals in 112 appearances.

The former player at Atletico Madrid, Villarreal, Inter Milan and Manchester United, with whom he won an English Premier League title, turned his attention to tennis since hanging up his boots in 2018.

He has competed in eight World Tennis Masters Tour tournaments before his pro debut. However, his transition from football prodigy to tennis novice will require a few more practice sets. AFP, REUTERS