Key occasions
Zverev gained the toss, and he selected to obtain. Ready? Play.
Here we go! Zverev comes out first, aiming to start his marketing campaign to win a 3rd ATP Finals title and he’s adopted by debutant Alcaraz.
The staging in Turin is extremely dramatic, which I personally love. The DJ has gone all out as effectively. Let’s hope the precise tennis matches this pre-match present.
As we await our gamers to return out, let’s check out how Zverev is approaching this match, and the way he’ll channel his earlier wins towards Alcaraz.
[You have] to be at your greatest. The instances that I’ve overwhelmed him, I used to be taking part in my very best tennis. If you aren’t fairly there, in case you are a bit slow-ish, in case you are not hitting the ball in addition to you’ll be able to, you don’t have any likelihood.
Djokavic speaks after taking just a few photos with the trophy.
It’s the crown of the season. Finishing No 1 is a dream of each tennis participant. One of probably the most tough factor to do in our sport. To be capable to stand here’s a blessing.
He thanks his staff and provides a shoutout to the followers in Turin earlier than he poses for extra photographs.
Ah, I realise why we’re operating not on time. Before the match, they’re presenting Novak Djokovic together with his record-extending eighth ATP Year-End No 1 trophy.
He secured the honour after his win final night time, and comes out to cheers in Turin.
We are actually getting a video montage of his greatest moments of the season.
This recreation was scheduled for 1.30pm GMT however the gamers aren’t even on the court docket but, so I believe it’s secure to say we will probably be not on time.
Outside tennis, Zverev was issued with penalty order over ‘abuse’ of ex-girlfriend.
More on that story from Tumaini Carayol under.
So a lot has been mentioned about Alcaraz, and he has definitely backed up all of the discuss, however that doesn’t imply Zverev successful immediately can be a giant shock. In reality, this is likely to be one among his greatest probabilities to get one over the Spaniard.
Alcaraz has by no means performed a round-robin type match earlier than, which will definitely take some psychological energy getting used to. Zverev’s type of play additionally fits the indoor court docket, one thing that Alcaraz can battle with.
Plus, for the 20-year-old, that is the longest interval he has gone with out a title since 2022. It has been six tournaments since his Wimbledon win. Could that be affecting him and thus give Zverev a bonus.
Am I reaching to attempt to make this sound like a extra even match? I’m not certain. I assume we’ll discover out.
How do immediately’s opponents fare towards one another? They have performed six matches and their head-to-head report is precisely even, every successful three.
Their most up-to-date one was none apart from the quarter-final of the US Open, which Alcaraz gained 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. The Spaniard went on to fall to Daniil Medvedev within the semis.
A flashback to that match at Flushing Meadows and these phrases from Tim Joyce nonetheless ring true.
What makes Alcaraz so immensely interesting, except for his contagious persona and various recreation that seamlessly toggles from magnificence to energy, is the truth that he’s not an enormous.
He has additionally nearly single handedly introduced again a extra aggressive, ahead shifting type. Looking to assault the web on the earliest potential level in rallies, Alcaraz has dominated not by utilizing pure energy groundstrokes or serve, however by redefining aggressiveness in immediately’s recreation.
Let’s see if he can convey that type to this match.
Yesterday the Green Group received underneath manner and Novak Djokovic ensured that he’ll end the 12 months ranked world No 1 after beating Holger Rune 7-6 (4), 6-7 (1), 6-3.
“It took everything. I knew it was going to be a tough night for me. I thought [Rune] played great. I played great in some moments. Overall a win is a win. It was a very emotional win and a tough win knowing the significance of the match,” Djokovic informed Prime Video after his win.
Jannik Sinner additionally received off to a successful begin by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Preamble
Good afternoon! Day two of the ATP Finals is right here, and what an thrilling opening match we have now within the Red Group – Carlos Alcaraz v Alexander Zverev.
Alcaraz is making his debut on the ATP Finals. He certified final 12 months however missed out because of an belly harm. The 20-year-old suffered a shock loss towards Roman Safiullin within the opening match of the Paris Masters earlier this month, and he’s hopeful that he achieve regain the shape he had when he picked up his first Wimbledon title.
“I’m expecting the Carlos from early this year [in Turin], despite the results I’ve had in recent tournaments. The defeat in Paris, which was quite painful, made me realise that I have to work harder,” he mentioned.
Unlike his opponent, Zverev has been right here earlier than. He’s gained this match twice, in 2018 and 2021, making him and Novak Djokovic the one lively gamers to win a number of titles on the ATP Finals. The German had a troublesome begin to the season as he constructed up energy from an ankle harm however he’s on the up for the time being, claiming two ATP tour titles this summer season in Hamburg and Chengdu.
“It was difficult in the beginning. I was nowhere near even thinking about Turin. I was thinking about how to win matches. I was barely winning matches. I was barely making points as well. It kind of turned around in the summer for me. I made the semi-finals of Roland Garros. I think that was a big turning point for me. From then onwards, it was fun to be on the tennis court again,” he mentioned on his tumultuous season.
Hopefully it’s a cracker. Have any ideas, questions, musings or complaints that you simply need to share? Send me an e-mail!
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