‘Solid’ Alexander Zverez eases past Andrey Rublev

TURIN – No matter how the ATP Finals go for Alexander Zverev, the world No. 2 has insisted that he is constantly seeking to improve his game and match up to top-ranked Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

On Nov 11, the German began the season-ending tournament in Turin, Italy, by dispatching Andrey Rublev of Russia 6-4, 6-4 in their round-robin opener.

In the earlier match, Norway’s Casper Ruud romped through the opening set before fighting back from 5-2 behind in the second to beat an out-of-sorts Alcaraz 6-1, 7-5.

Zverev had last faced Rublev at the same stage of the ATP Finals in 2023 and won by the same score.

The 27-year-old, a champion of this event in 2018 and 2021, moved to second in the John Newcombe Group after his win, behind Ruud.

The recent winner of the Paris Masters 1000 has climbed back to No. 2 in the world this season. After an injury-hit 2022 season, he had briefly dropped out of the top 25 in 2023.

“I was never sure I was going to get back to this level,” Zverev said on court.

“Second year in a row for me here. I still want to get better. I still want to improve on a few things. We’ll see how next year goes. We have a great group of guys leading with Jannik and Carlos. I think they had a better year (winning two Grand Slams each), even though I’m No. 2 in the world.

“The benchmark is those two guys.”

Rublev held to love in his first three service games. He won a 13th straight point on serve to open the crucial seventh game, but Zverev then won the next four to secure the break.

The German did not allow a break point against his serve all match and converted immediately both times he had the chance.

“I thought it was a very solid match from my end,” he added.

“Andrey is an incredible player, but everyone who plays here is an unbelievable player.

“Against anyone here, you have to play your best to have a chance, you have to be solid, mentally strong. I feel like I did that today, I felt like I used my chances quite well and I’m obviously happy with this win.”

World No. 3 Alcaraz got off to a shaky start at the ATP Finals, making 34 unforced errors in an uncharacteristically errant display.

“I’m tired,” said the French Open and Wimbledon champion. “I’m tired mentally.

“Obviously a lot of matches, really tight schedule, really demanding year with not too many days off, not too many periods for you to rest.”

He also said he had struggled with sickness and adapting to the indoor surface.

“A few days before coming here, I got sick at home,” said the Spaniard.

“I don’t like to sound like I’m making excuses but today I didn’t feel well on court.

“It doesn’t matter the times I beat Casper. I have no experience playing on indoor courts. I have to be better this part of the year that we play on indoor courts.”

It was Ruud’s first victory over the 21-year-old in their five career meetings.

“I knew he was dealing with a bit of a cold,” the world No. 7 said.

“I saw him sniffling in the back area and with a tissue for his nose, so that’s a sign that maybe physically he won’t be necessarily at 100 per cent.

“Of course, that is sad, and not good for him, but at the same time, it is part of the game.”

On Nov 12, Daniil Medvedev produced a measured performance to prevail 6-2, 6-4 over Alex de Minaur and return to winning ways at the season finale.

The Russian, champion in 2020, kept his cool against Australian de Minaur in the 78-minute encounter, unlike in his opening loss to American Taylor Fritz two days earlier when he lost his temper. AFP