Alexander Zverev had a lighthearted and friendly message for Carlos Alcaraz following their clash at the ATP Finals in Turin—a match that effectively ended the Spaniard’s hopes of advancing to the tournament’s final four. Zverev, who is currently enjoying a blistering run of form, notched his eighth consecutive victory by defeating Alcaraz with a 7-6(5), 6-4 scoreline. For Alcaraz, it was a tough outing against the German, who has been a formidable competitor in recent weeks.
The contest was a significant one for both players, as Alcaraz had gotten the better of Zverev in their previous two encounters, including a memorable and intense French Open final in June. This time, however, Zverev’s power and precise serving carried him through, showcasing his ability to dominate in key moments. As the two players met at the net after the match, the warmth of their relationship was evident. With a smile, Zverev jokingly remarked, “You won too much this year… you won too much against me this year,” a nod to the back-and-forth nature of their rivalry.
Unfortunately for Alcaraz, this defeat leaves him with only one win from his three group matches, putting his advancement in jeopardy. The Spaniard’s fate will now be determined by the outcome of Friday night’s clash between Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev. Alcaraz’s campaign in Turin has been marred by illness; throughout the tournament, he has been seen wearing a nasal strip to assist his breathing. Despite his best efforts, the symptoms seemed to take their toll on his game.
In the opening set, Alcaraz found himself under relentless pressure on his serve, facing seven break points and even saving a set point at 5-6. He displayed resilience and grit, but Zverev proved too strong in the crucial tie-break. The German, who had built a 5-2 lead in the tie-break, faced a brief hiccup as Alcaraz clawed back, but ultimately Zverev maintained his composure to clinch the set. Frustration was evident on Alcaraz’s face as he tossed his racket into his towel at the changeover.
Momentum shifted further in Zverev’s favor at the start of the second set when he broke Alcaraz’s serve. The Spaniard battled valiantly, but he was unable to recover from the deficit. For Zverev, this victory not only marked a personal milestone in his rivalry with Alcaraz—taking their head-to-head record to 6-5 in his favor—but also served as a testament to his current confidence and sharpness on the court.
During their post-match exchange, Alcaraz graciously accepted Zverev’s compliments and offered his own good wishes for the German’s continued success at the ATP Finals. With this win, Zverev now positions himself as one of the clear favorites for the title, alongside world number one Jannik Sinner. Reflecting on his performance, Zverev said, “It has been three fantastic matches. I’m happy to be 3-0 in the group for sure, but the semi-finals now are going to be very difficult—no matter who I am against.”
Zverev is set to face Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals, a match he is approaching with cautious optimism. The big-serving American has been a thorn in Zverev’s side of late, having defeated him in their last three meetings, including encounters at Wimbledon and the US Open. “Taylor (Fritz) beat me the last few times we’ve played at the slams, but I’m looking forward to that match,” Zverev noted. “Carlos has beaten me too many times this year in important matches, so I’m happy I got this one. We have a pretty good rivalry, but a great friendship as well. It’s always great to share the court with him.”
The German also took a moment to reflect on the high caliber of play during his victory over Alcaraz. “Today was a real high-level match,” he said. “I think there were a lot of highlights from both of us, especially in the tie-break and the last game of the match. I’m happy with my composure, that I stayed cool in the vital moments and finished it off.” Zverev’s calm demeanor and focused play have become hallmarks of his current form, and he will need every bit of that poise as he prepares for the challenge Fritz poses in the semi-finals.
For Alcaraz, this defeat will undoubtedly sting, but it is part of the ongoing learning curve for the young star. His illness-affected performances in Turin are a reminder of the physical demands of professional tennis and the importance of resilience. Despite the setback, Alcaraz’s talent and potential remain undeniable, and he will surely bounce back stronger in future tournaments. Meanwhile, Zverev marches forward, eyes firmly set on adding another major achievement to his impressive 2023 season.