Match Report
Zverev units Fritz SF conflict, leaves Alcaraz with nervous wait in Turin
German downs Alcaraz in straight units to high John Newcombe Group
November 15, 2024
Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Alexander Zverev in motion in opposition to Carlos Alcaraz on Friday on the Nitto ATP Finals.
By Andy West
Can anybody halt Alexander Zverev’s late-season surge on the Nitto ATP Finals?
The German on Friday prolonged his successful streak to eight matches by sinking Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(5), 6-4 in Turin. Zverev, who was going through Alcaraz for the primary time since his heartbreaking five-set defeat within the Roland Garros championship match, produced a powerful one-hour, 57-minute efficiency to outclass his rival and assure he’ll finish the 12 months as No. 2 within the PIF ATP Rankings.
“He beat me too many occasions this 12 months in necessary matches, so I’m pleased that I acquired this one,” mirrored Zverev after his triumph. “Clearly I really feel like we have now a reasonably good rivalry with an excellent friendship as effectively, so it’s all the time good to play in opposition to him… Simply sharing the courtroom with him. He’s an excellent man and I’m trying ahead to the subsequent matches with him as effectively.”
High of the Pops 🎤@AlexZverev downs Alcaraz in straight units to high John Newcombe Group ⤵️#NittoATPFinals
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 15, 2024
Together with his victory, Zverev ensured a first-place end in John Newcombe Group and set a semi-final conflict in opposition to fifth seed Taylor Fritz, whereas it left Alcaraz on the point of elimination from the celebrated season finale. There stays a state of affairs the place the Spaniard may progress through proportion of video games received, however provided that Andrey Rublev defeats Casper Ruud in straight units on Friday night.
“It’s been three unbelievable matches,” mentioned Zverev. “I’m proud of being 3-0 within the group for certain, however I believe now the semi-final goes to be very tough. [Taylor] beat me the previous few occasions on the Slams, so I’m trying ahead to that match.”
Though Zverev did in the end safe a straight-sets win, the margin of his victory in opposition to Alcaraz may have been larger. The German’s razor-sharp returning on the fast-paced Inalpi Area courtroom helped him carve out seven break factors within the first set, however he was unable to transform any of them.
These disappointments didn’t cease Zverev from staying centered within the tie-break, throughout which his correct, highly effective ballstriking off each wings proved key. Alcaraz produced back-to-back moments of magic from 2/5 down — a working forehand go and an audacious lob winner — however was let down by a unfastened backhand on the next level and Zverev went on to clinch the set and seal his semi-final spot.
The second seed nonetheless wanted to win the match to safe high spot within the group and he made the right begin to the second set by rallying from 40/0 to interrupt within the opening recreation. Alcaraz tried to evoke a comeback and earned his first break factors of the match (and the primary break factors Zverev has confronted this week) at 2-4, 15/40, however the German fended them off earlier than occurring to shut out his win.
The 2-time Nitto ATP Finals champion Zverev despatched down 9 aces and received 73 per cent (40/55) of factors behind his first serve in opposition to Alcaraz, in keeping with Infosys ATP Stats. He has not dropped serve in any of his previous 4 matches, relationship again to his Rolex Paris Masters closing victory in opposition to Ugo Humbert.
Zverev has now earned a Tour-leading 69 wins in 2024, yet another than World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and essentially the most in a season since Andy Murray received 78 in 2016 (the 12 months the Briton received the Nitto ATP Finals and completed as ATP Yr-Finish No. 1 offered by PIF). After defeating Alcaraz within the Nitto ATP Finals group stage for the second consecutive 12 months, Zverev now leads the Spaniard 6-5 within the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head collection.