Casper Ruud claimed a dominant straight-sets victory over Carlos Alcaraz on Monday, starting his ATP Finals campaign with a 6-1, 7-5 win in Turin. The Norwegian made quick work of the opening set before staging a remarkable comeback in the second, recovering from 5-2 down to seal the match. The victory marked Ruud's first win over Alcaraz in their five career meetings.
Alcaraz, the world No. 3 and 2023 French Open and Wimbledon champion, struggled throughout the match, committing 34 unforced errors in a rare off performance. The Spanish star's inconsistency was evident as he failed to capitalize on crucial moments, including missing multiple break points during the first set. Ruud, on the other hand, capitalized on Alcaraz’s errors and delivered a composed performance, particularly in the second set where he found his rhythm after the early deficit.
Ruud, who reached the 2022 ATP Finals final, reflected on the victory, noting that his recent form had been disappointing but expressing hope that he had saved his best tennis for the tournament. Having endured a tough stretch with seven losses in his last eight matches, the Norwegian's positive start in Turin was a welcome sign as he looks to build momentum for the rest of the event.
With this win, Ruud is well-positioned to advance to the semifinals for the third consecutive year, with his next match scheduled against Andrey Rublev. Meanwhile, Alcaraz faces a potential early exit if he loses to Alexander Zverev in his next match. The 2023 season has been a rollercoaster for both players, but Ruud’s solid performance in this opening match put him in a favorable position to continue his bid for a strong finish.
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