Alexander Zverev delivered a masterclass on Friday, defeating four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(5), 6-4 to safe a spot within the ATP Finals semifinals and clinch the highest spot within the John Newcombe Group.
The victory marks a essential step in Zverev’s quest for a 3rd title on the season-ending championship.
The German entered the match as group chief, having notched wins towards Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud.
However, he wanted to take not less than one set towards Alcaraz to seal his semifinal berth.
Zverev not solely achieved that but in addition dealt a big blow to Alcaraz’s possibilities.
Alcaraz’s slim hope
For Alcaraz, the stakes had been equally excessive.
The third seed required a victory to maintain his semifinal desires alive however now depends on Rublev defeating Ruud in straight units in a while Friday to advance based mostly on the proportion of video games gained.
In a match outlined by fluctuating momentum, Zverev showcased his consistency and firepower.
The 27-year-old German gained 73% of his service factors and fired 29 winners, outlasting Alcaraz in a decent, practically two-hour battle.
This victory improved Zverev’s head-to-head document towards Alcaraz to 6-5, flipping the script after his five-set defeat to the Spaniard on this yr’s French Open closing.
Zverev’s triumph additionally propelled him previous Alcaraz to reclaim the No. 2 spot within the ATP rankings, underscoring his late-season resurgence.
Zverev’s dominance on the ATP Finals stays exceptional. Since reaching his first semi-final in 2018, solely Novak Djokovic has made it to the semis extra usually, with 5 appearances in comparison with Zverev’s 4.
Top-ranked Jannik Sinner, who topped the opposite group, awaits his semi-final opponent – probably Ruud or Alcaraz – relying on the end result of the day’s closing group match. Meanwhile, Zverev is ready to face Taylor Fritz in what guarantees to be a high-stakes encounter.
Alcaraz’s struggles
Alcaraz, battling sickness all through the match, as soon as once more sported a pink nostril strip to assist his respiratory.
Despite his well being points, the Spaniard fought valiantly however couldn’t match Zverev’s precision and consistency.
Source: www.dailysabah.com