Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz has kicked off his ATP Finals campaign with a remarkable straight-sets victory over Australia’s Alex de Minaur, marking a significant milestone as this is the first time he has claimed an opening victory at this prestigious tournament. Alcaraz, the top seed, is making his third appearance at the year-end showpiece held in Turin. In his previous two outings, he experienced mixed results, reaching the semi-finals during his debut in 2023 but subsequently missing the cut at the group stage last year.
In a bid to set a different tone this time around, Alcaraz reversed his early-match fortune by delivering a solid performance against seventh-seed De Minaur, winning with a scoreline of 7-6 (7-5), 6-2. The young Spaniard demonstrated his skills right from the start, showcasing his powerful play and impressive footwork. He surged to an early lead in the first set, establishing a commanding position at 4-1 with a 40-0 advantage. However, De Minaur, known for his tenacity and speed, rallied impressively to lead 5-3 in the tie-break. In a display of resilience and determination, Alcaraz managed to seize control by winning four consecutive points, ultimately clinching the set.
As the match progressed into the second set, Alcaraz continued to maintain his momentum, demonstrating both strategic play and mental fortitude. With this victory, he not only embarks on his quest for a first ATP Finals title but also strives to secure the end-of-year world No. 1 ranking, a goal that underscores the significance of this tournament in his career.
Post-match, Alcaraz expressed his thoughts candidly, stating, “I’ve been struggling in the past few years to come to the end of the year with motivation.” He elaborated that this year presents a different scenario, and he feels a sense of pride in the efforts he’s made to give himself a legitimate shot at winning this coveted tournament. “It was a really difficult match. On this surface, Alex makes the most of the speed of the ball; he’s super fast and really difficult on return. I’m just really happy to get through this really difficult challenge,” he added, highlighting the intricacies of the match and the respect he holds for his opponent’s abilities.
As he continues in the tournament, tennis enthusiasts will be keen to see how Alcaraz’s journey unfolds, following this promising start.
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