Last Updated: November 14, 2023, 00:01 IST
TURIN, Italy: Considering all that he’s completed over the past two years — profitable two Grand Slam titles and ending final season as No. 1 — Carlos Alcaraz little question belongs among the many world’s elite.
Still, this couldn’t have been the debut that the 20-12 months-outdated Spaniard hoped for on the season-ending occasion for the 12 months’s prime eight gamers.
After lacking the ATP Finals final 12 months due to an stomach damage, Alcaraz was crushed in his opening match of this season’s competitors by two-time champion Alexander Zverev 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-4 on Monday.
Zverev additionally missed final 12 months’s version after tearing ligaments in his proper ankle throughout a French Open semifinal loss to Rafael Nadal. But the large-serving German clearly likes the quick circumstances contained in the Pala Alpitour — the place he claimed the title two years in the past.
Zverev served 16 aces to Alcaraz’s 11, saved 5 of six break factors, and by no means actually let Alcaraz really feel in management.
Zverev overcame a scare late within the third set when he was chasing down a forehand from Alcaraz, misplaced his grip, slipped and fell to the courtroom clutching his left ankle. But Zverev shortly shook it off and held in that sport for a 4-2 lead.
“I didn’t twist my ankle. I just kind of slipped,” Zverev mentioned.
Zverev confronted a break level whereas serving for the match and responded with a ace down the T. Two factors later, the match was over.
Zverev has additionally had off-courtroom points not too long ago after a German courtroom issued a penalty order towards him after allegations that he brought on bodily hurt to a lady. Zverev has disputed the allegations and is contesting the penalty order.
Alcaraz can nonetheless hope to advance from the spherical robin format, with the highest two finishers in every 4-man group reaching the semifinals.
Later within the pink group, Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev had been to satisfy of their opening match.
Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner gained their opening matches within the inexperienced group on Sunday.
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AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
