Carlos Alcaraz sends out a warning and Alexander Zverev powers to victory – ATP Finals predictions
Day 2 of the ATP Finals sees the two big contenders in the John Newcombe Group open their campaigns and it looks like the path is clear for Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev to shine.
Alcaraz is No 3 seed in Turin after he was overtaken by Zverev in the ATP Rankings following the German’s win in last week’s Paris Masters, but all eyes will be on the captivating young Spaniard as he sets his sights on winning a first ATP Finals title.
CARLOS ALCARAZ vs CASPER RUUD
Head-to-head: Alcaraz leads 4-0
Previous meeting: 2023 Beijing quarter-finals – Alcaraz won 6-4, 6-2
Ruud consistency over the course of the season has booked him a return trip to the ATP Finals, but he arrives in Turin with low expectations after a horrible run of form.
The Norwegian arrives in Turin after losing the opening match of his last two events in Basel and Paris and he is on a run of winning just once in his last seven matches.
That is not the form you want to be in ahead of a match against Alcaraz and the head-t0-head between these two players confirms this match should be one-way traffic.
“Last year was a difficult end of the year for me,” said Alcaraz.
“I could not play at my best. The last two matches here were pretty good matches for me but the previous two, three tournaments I didn’t play at my best, so I realised I had to change a little bit at this time of the year, which I did this year.
“I come here a little bit different. I approach this tournament a little differently, knowing there are things I have to change if I am to have a good result here and go far.
“Last year I didn’t start well from the first matches. I will try to play the same level and will try to play good tennis. I am coming here with a lot of motivation.”
Verdict: A convincing win for Alcaraz.
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ALEXANDER ZVEREV vs ANDREY RUBLEV
Head-to-head: Zverev leads 6-3
Previous meeting: 2023 ATP Finals – Zverev won 6-4, 6-4
Zverev’s impressive win at the Paris Masters last week ensures he heads into the ATP Finals as one of the three favourites for the title along with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
A two-time ATP Finals champion, Zverev’s big serve and power-packed game is perfect for the conditions in Turin and he will be a nightmare for the out-of-form Rublev to face.
The Russian star has endured an inconsistent 2024, but he plays in so many tournaments and has booked a return to the ATP Finals dispute his woeful form in recent months.
Controlling his emotions has proved to be a challenge for Rublev once again in recent weeks and Zverev is a big favourite to win this opening match.
“In 2023, I didn’t feel like I was competitive in big events, I was far away from winning them,” said Zverev.
“Being able to compete and make Grand Slam finals, win Masters 1000 events, that is a big satisfaction to me because there were obviously question marks if I was ever going to do that again after the injury,” Zverev told ATP Media when reflecting on his 2024 season.
“It was the first year where I was competitive again in big events. I’m happy with where I am.
“I think coming in and playing one of the best eight players in the world straight off is a very difficult thing to do. You have to be focused, you have to be ready from the get go. I’m looking forward to this week.”
Verdict: Zverev has too much for Rublev.
