Key events
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Alcaraz 1-6, 2-2 Ruud* (*denotes server) A few more Ruud aces take him up to 40-15 and it looks like another one will see out the game in quick fashion but somehow Alcaraz returns the corner serve and it hits the line just under Ruud’s nose. It only delays the inevitable though and Ruud sees it out.
*Alcaraz 1-6, 2-1 Ruud (*denotes server) Better from Alcaraz. His serves are not as strong as the first game of this set but he goes back to the basics, with a fantastic crosscourt volley. He makes it 2-1 but needs to focus on Ruud’s service games if he wants to make up for that first set.
Alcaraz 1-6, 1-1 Ruud* (*denotes server) Alcaraz misses a fairly routine forehand, unusual for him to go down 0-30 and then hits a backhand out to make it 0-40. He sees it out with shot from close to the net, looking very confident as he does so.
*Alcaraz 1-6, 1-0 Ruud (*denotes server) Alcaraz is ready to go immediately and goes up 40-0 on his serve, targetting the far corner. Four first serves and game over.
Ruud wins the first set 6-1 against Alcaraz
Alcaraz is tilted. He can’t get better of Ruud’s serves or returns at all. The Norwegian wins the set with an ace after going up 40-0. Alcaraz finishes the set with 15 unforced errors compared to Ruud’s 7. The Norwegian’s first and second serve percentages have also been much higher. He has been aggressive and he has had the control and consistency, which is especially impressive given Alcaraz is a better player on this surface.
*Alcaraz 1-5 Ruud (*denotes server) The Spaniard nets another drop shot to go down early on but ties it up 15-15 right away. But Ruud is hitting very fast returns and somehow the Norwegian is rushing the world No 3. This is very unexpected. He hits two more outs and frustratingly whacks away the spare ball. Ruud to now serve for the set.
Alcaraz 1-4 Ruud* (*denotes server) Alcaraz tries to take the second serve return early but Ruud is pushing, serving faster than he usually does. He goes up 30-15 but he then nets an easy shot, his fourth unforced error of the match, and looks at his team in frustration. He then uncharacteristically misses a forehand but does well to keep the ball in play on the next point. Alcaraz misses a routine drop shot and after a few of deuces with the two swapping deuces Ruud finally sees it out. That was a long game, just over 10 mins, but a huge one for the Norwegian. He is here to play!
*Alcaraz 1-3 Ruud (*denotes server) Massive return from Ruud to make it 30-0. It’s a strong serve and he’s falling backwards trying to get to it, but he hits the a spinny shot leaving Alcaraz no chance. The world No 7 hits a forehand that looks out but the electronic line calls shows it is in. Alcaraz is shaken and Ruud breaks!
Alcaraz 1-2 Ruud* (*denotes server) Beautiful touch from Alcaraz to make it 15-15. Ruud tries to get to the short drop shot but hits it wide but his next serve is a bullet that Alcaraz wildly mishits. An ace takes the Norwegian up 40-30 and he wins the game after Alcaraz hits the next return out.
*Alcaraz 1-1 Ruud (*denotes server) Ruud returns Alcaraz’s first serve well out and then nets the next. The Spaniard makes it 40-0 after a short rally, his forehand unleashing all over the court to make Ruud run. And from there it is smooth sailing.
Alcaraz 0-1 Ruud* (*denotes server) Ruud gets the first points on the board after Alcaraz hits one long but the Spaniard then goes 30-15 up with two powerful backhands. Ruud then nets a forehand but makes up for it with an ace. He holds off another break point to take it to deuce and the two swap advantages for a while but it is Ruud who draws first blood after the Spaniard nets a drop shot.
One of the reasons Ruud is so good on clay is because he has a bit more time to set up his forehand. It is a lot more rushed on the hardcourts but he did well to move Alcaraz around in the first game.
Yesterday, Sinner got off to a winning start and Medvedev had a bit of a tantrum. Read our report below.
And we’re about to start today’s play. Ruud won the toss and elected to serve.
Alcaraz is making just his second appearance at the ATP Finals after reaching the semis last year. He lost his opening match Alexander Zverev and told the ATP website that he is hoping to make a fast start this year.
Last year was a difficult end of the year for me. I could not play at my best. The last two matches here were pretty good matches for me but the previous two, three tournaments I didn’t play at my best, so I realised I had to change a little bit at this time of the year, which I did this year.
I come here a little bit different. I approach this tournament a little differently, knowing there are things I have to change if I am to have a good result here and go far. Last year I didn’t start well from the first matches. I will try to play the same level and will try to play good tennis. I am coming here with a lot of motivation.
The players are out on the court and now warming up. Huge cheers for Alcaraz as he walks in, as expected. Ruud will be the underdog in this match and playing against the crowd.
This pair’s head-to-head record does not bode well for Ruud, with Alcaraz winning all four of their matches. Their last meeting was in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Beijing Open on hard court which the Spaniard won 6-4, 6-2.
For those new to tennis, the ATP Finals is the biggest men’s tennis event after the four grand slams and the format is quite different to other events.
The top eight players are separated into two groups of four where they each play three round-robin matches. After the group stage, the top two face off in the semi-finals and a final to determine the winner.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to our live blog of the ATP Finals group stage match between Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud. The two are the first to face off in the John Newcombe Group at the Inalpi Arena.
Alcaraz has had a fantastic year, winning two grand slams and winning silver at the Olympics. The world No 3 has a chance to move up a spot in the year-end rankings should he do well here in Turin.
Ruud, on the other hand, epitomises the saying ‘always the bridesmaid, never the bride’. The world No 7 is a three-time slam finalist and also finished second at the 2022 ATP finals, losing 7-5, 6-3 to Novak Djokovic. He lost three ATP finals early on this year before winning in Barcelona and Geneva.
Join me for the 1pm GMT start and, as always, send me an email if you have any thoughts, predictions, questions, or complaints you would like to share.
