Carlos Alcaraz, 21 years old and world No. 3, he is already looking to Malaga, where Rafa Nadal is leading the first training sessions of the Spanish Davis Cup team. His hours in Turin are numbered.
He is eliminated after losing in two sets against an untouchable Alexander Zverevunless Casper Ruud doesn't show up for his game tonight. This result gave the Spanish a chance of survival if the Russian Andrey Rublev beat the Norwegian Casper Ruud in two sets at night, but not even like that because he would lose in the three-way tiebreaker with them due to a worse percentage of games. It would always be 3rd.
Alcaraz is -6, compared to Ruud's +3 and Rublev's -8. If the latter defeats Ruud, he would be the one who takes second place in the John Newcombe Group. The first was deservedly won by Zverev, who also avoided crossing with No. 1 and local idol Jannik Sinner. He will play this Saturday against the American Taylor Fritz.
The German, 27 years old and world No. 2, knocked out the Spaniard, 21 and No. 3, 7-6 (5) y 6-4with another display of power. He is on a streak, there are eight consecutive victories including his title at the ATP Masters 1000 in Paris Bercy, closing the 'round robin' with a 3-0, without giving up a set, keeping his serve intact in all three matches.
He conceded the first break balls in the tournament to Alcaraz when he already had the semifinals tied (he needed a set) with the favorable result of 7-5 and 4-2. He took them back because he is excellent.
He knows the terrain well, he was champion of the ATP Finals in 2018 and 2021. He puts his record with Alcaraz (6-5) in his favor. whom he already surpassed in the ranking to remain world No. 2.
Alcaraz tried throughout the tournament, but the cold really hurt him. Belly pain, breathing problems (he used the nasal plaster again) and chest congestion They weighed too much in their debut against Casper Ruud. That defeat in two sets, that first set of 1-6, left him on the verge of a resounding KO.
He improved physically, he raised his tennis player against Andrey Rublevbut it was not enough against a sublime Zverev. On a positive note, a hopeful progression for the Davis Cup, with days ahead to consolidate this promotion. He Spain-Netherlands It's next Tuesday.
Alcaraz suffered against a superlative Zverev, who had to save seven break points, the last one already in a set, to reach the tiebreak. The Murcian made another effort from 2-5 in the same one, but this time the magic wand belonged to the German.
Alcaraz was always in tow, also from 0-2 in the second set. He tried hard, but Zverev didn't let him. Complicated week for the pupil of Juan Carlos Ferrero. As they both said, “it's not a good time to get sick.” Nor to have to risk it with an outstanding Sasha.
Alcaraz will head to Malaga as soon as he can. It must wait. Lest Casper Ruud gets injured before the game and doesn't show up, which would open the door to the semis for the Murcian.
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