(Turin) Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz won the first victory of his career in an ATP Masters match, beating Russian Andrey Rublev 7-5, 6-2 on Wednesday in Turin, Italy.
Beaten in the first meeting by the German Alexander Zverev 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 6-4, the world No.2 reacted well thanks to an authoritative victory against Rublev (N. 5), but he will still have to win on Friday to reach the semi-finals.
In the meantime, the 20-year-old Spaniard returned to success during this first confrontation with Rublev: eliminated in the first round at the Masters 1000 at Paris-Bercy, he had not won since October 9.
Rublev, semi-finalist at the ATP Masters last year, lost his first match against Russian Daniil Medvedev and is already eliminated.
Alcaraz, winner of Wimbledon this year, will have to beat Medvedev (N.3) on Friday to qualify for the semi-finals.
PHOTO GUGLIELMO MANGIAPANE, REUTERS
Andrey Rublev
Against Rublev, the fight was tough in the first set, where both men relied on a very good first ball to maintain their serve.
Rublev was the first to break, after saving two break points in the middle of the set. He let his faceoff slip away at 5-5, and Alcaraz concluded the first round (7-5) before his opponent left the match, showing himself to be very angry at the slightest mistake.
Rublev started the second round very badly, broken from the start and smashing his racket on the ground, then against his knee.
Not distracted, “Carlitos” was methodical in overcoming the Russian in a second round made simple by Rublev’s annoyance and mood swings.
Released after winning the first round, the ex-N. 1 world took place, like a game gleaned thanks to a white break to lead 4-2.
In this “Red Group”, Zverev can already secure a place in the semi-final on Wednesday evening, if he wins against Medvedev. The Russian must win in two sets to qualify.