In a dazzling display of skill and poise, world number two Alexander Zverev effortlessly defeated Andrey Rublev, securing a convincing 6-4, 6-4 victory in his first match of the ATP Finals.
The German star, fresh off clinching his second Masters 1000 title of 2024 just a week prior, showcased his prowess by capitalizing on late breaks of serve in both sets to outmaneuver the unpredictable Russian.
Zverev’s victory positions him as a serious contender for a place in the semi-finals, especially following the unexpected defeat of Carlos Alcaraz at the hands of Casper Ruud.
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The opening set proved to be a tightly contested affair, with only a couple of points relinquished on serve during the first six games. However, a momentary lapse from Rublev, marked by two unforced errors, handed Zverev a crucial break in the seventh game. With that, the German seized control, comfortably serving out the first set at 6-4.
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The second set mirrored the first in intensity, with Rublev demonstrating solid fundamentals, yet faltering in concentration just enough to allow Zverev to pounce. As the match unfolded, Zverev broke Rublev’s serve in the ninth game and confidently served for the match, sealing his victory in straight sets.
Both players will face the formidable challenges of Alcaraz and Ruud in their upcoming round-robin matches as they seek to advance further in this prestigious tournament.
Swiss
