Unlike a year ago, Carlos Alcaraz’s hopes of reaching the semifinals of the ATP Finals in Turin were dashed. The world No. 3 fell to world No. 2 Alexander Zverev in a challenging match that lasted one hour and 57 minutes, ending with a score of 7-6, 6-4. The defeat left Alcaraz with a 1-2 record in the round-robin stage and brought his campaign to a premature close, marking a disappointing end to the season finale for the Spanish sensation.
The match against Zverev was intense from the start, with Alcaraz showing visible frustration during pivotal moments. The Spaniard, who is known for his composure on the court, hurled his racquet towards his bag and shouted toward his box after losing the tightly contested first set, which lasted 65 minutes. The loss mirrored Alcaraz’s recent struggles indoors, including a setback at the Paris Masters, further delaying his quest for his first indoor ATP title. Now, Alcaraz’s focus shifts to representing Spain at the Davis Cup Finals as he seeks redemption.
Despite the setback, it is important to remember that Alcaraz, at just 21 years old, has already accomplished extraordinary feats this season, including winning two Grand Slam titles. He will finish the year ranked third in the world, behind Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev. Alcaraz’s high-energy, joyful playing style and relentless work ethic continue to endear him to fans worldwide, and his losses this year, though painful, have only reinforced his determination to grow stronger.
The match against Zverev was a rematch of their clash in last year’s ATP Finals in Turin, where Zverev similarly emerged victorious. Once again, the more experienced German proved to have the edge in crucial moments. Zverev’s consistent serving and ability to apply pressure during key points ultimately broke down Alcaraz’s defenses, resulting in the Spaniard’s sixth loss in their 11 encounters. This year, Alcaraz had defeated Zverev twice, including their showdown in the Roland Garros final. However, Zverev was favored on the fast indoor courts of Turin and backed it up with impressive statistics throughout the match.
Zverev’s dominance was fueled by his powerful serve, with a first-serve success rate of 79%. He faced just two break points in the entire match and saved both, maintaining control of his service games. In contrast, Alcaraz faced eight break points and managed to fend off seven. The opening set was a nail-biter, with both players trading blows before heading into a tense tiebreak. Zverev’s ability to capitalize on small errors and maintain his composure under pressure proved decisive, leaving Alcaraz unable to break through.
The first set unfolded as a 65-minute drama, showcasing the best of both players’ skills and competitive spirit. Zverev’s serve was dominant early on, and he created numerous opportunities to break Alcaraz’s serve. In the second game, Alcaraz saved two break points with clutch serves, leveling the match at 1-1. Zverev continued to apply pressure, creating three break chances in the fourth game, but Alcaraz held firm, saving all three and eventually holding serve to stay in contention.
As the set progressed, the tension only grew. Zverev’s powerful serves and steady groundstrokes kept him in control, but Alcaraz refused to yield, saving multiple break points and pushing the set to 5-5. The German edged ahead with another unreturned serve, setting up a set point in the 12th game. Though Alcaraz saved it, a tightly contested tiebreak followed. Zverev took control at 3-2 and maintained his lead, converting his second set point after a thrilling exchange at the net. Alcaraz, visibly frustrated, knew he had let a critical opportunity slip away.
The second set began with Alcaraz fighting hard to stay in the match. However, a missed game point and an uncharacteristic slice error in the opening game handed Zverev an early break. The German quickly consolidated his lead, holding serve at love in the next game to go up 2-0. Alcaraz managed to hold after a deuce in the third game, but Zverev’s serving remained rock-solid, and the Spaniard struggled to find any openings.
Alcaraz had a glimmer of hope at 3-2 when he earned two break points, but Zverev’s big serves came to the rescue once again. A service winner and an error from Alcaraz allowed Zverev to escape unscathed, extending his lead to 4-2. The German closed out his next service game with an ace, putting even more pressure on Alcaraz, who continued to battle but could not turn the tide.
Serving for the match at 5-4, Zverev displayed nerves of steel. Alcaraz managed to put him under some pressure with a well-timed backhand winner for 30-15, but a subsequent backhand error cost him dearly. Zverev seized his opportunity, passing Alcaraz at the net and sealing the victory with a service winner. The triumph secured Zverev a perfect 3-0 record in the round-robin stage, while Alcaraz was left to reflect on what might have been.
The loss highlighted areas for improvement in Alcaraz’s game, particularly his consistency on fast indoor courts. Despite the disappointment, his 2024 season remains impressive, with two Grand Slam titles and numerous victories against top-tier opponents. As he shifts focus to the Davis Cup Finals, Alcaraz will undoubtedly use this experience as motivation to come back stronger. For fans, the prospect of seeing him continue to evolve and challenge the sport’s best is an exciting one.
Une salle, deux ambiances. pic.twitter.com/5IaP41hutU
— Univers Tennis 🎾 (@UniversTennis) November 15, 2024