Masters Cup: Carlos Alcaraz loses in two sets to Ruud and starts uphill

The ATP Finals start awry for Carlos Alcaraz, defeated in his first match against Casper Ruud, 6-1 and 7-5, in 1 hour and 25 minutes. The final score forces them to win the next two games and wait. The presentation of the players in the masters tournament is to give anyone goosebumps. Alcaraz came out behind Ruud, because he has more hierarchy, resume and ranking than the Norwegian. On the screens you could see images of some points from their first and only participation in the 2023 edition.

The game started the way Carlitos likes it: from the rest. He missed two break balls. His rival seemed like the right victim: he had qualified at the last minute due to the resignation of Novak Djokovic, he had lost the previous four with the Spaniard and he has amply demonstrated that he is not suited to big stages.. And Turin is.

Casper, was a finalist in 2022but lost the final to Novak Djokovic. His indoor numbers were not scary either: 35 wins by 27 losses, which gives an effectiveness of 56.5 percent.

Alcaraz had worked the serve in the previous one. He knows that his success with the roof depends on not losing it. In his first shift at service, he committed double fault number 115 of the course. It was the prelude to what would happen next: his executioner signed a 4/4 in breaks.

Ruud, seventh on the lists, was playing for the third time in Turin. He took advantage of a serve at 151 kilometers per hour from his opponent to reach 15-40, leading 2-1. The match started uphill for the Spaniard because the break came: 3-1. The youngest tennis player in the fray had to come back. He had the option to get back on track with his third, fourth and fifth break ball in the fifth game.

The score shot up to 4-1 for the Scandinavian. Then the fifth and sixth games fell against him. The disconnection was at times reminiscent of the second round of the US Open with Botic van de Zandschulp.

Alcaraz put on his work overalls in the continuation. He solved his first serve blank to stop a bleeding that had lasted five games.

The Murcian was not successful from the return and that gave peace of mind to Ruud, who continued to control the pace of the game. People asked for more from the stands of the Inalpi Arena.

Go on the attack

Carlitos needed to take out his wand and do magic. Hit the net now, that was the potion. The sixth breaking ball was the charm for him. He advanced to 5-2 and prepared to tie the score at 5-3. He failed and the outcome was complicated.

The tennis player from El Palmar did not receive an answer to his drop shots, he lost them all. Yes, the speed of his serve, with tips at 216 kilometers per hour. He lost victory in his debut after giving up the last five games. He was condemned for 26 unforced errors compared to his executioner's 10. He has missed three of his last four commitments.

Juan Carlos Ferrero's pupil also lost in the debut last season and then went to the semi-finals. The thing is that the games also count and he only added six. On Wednesday, staying alive will be played against the loser of the duel between Alexander Zverev and Andrey Rublev.