Alcaraz Secures First ATP Finals Opening Victory
World number one Carlos Alcaraz finally broke his opening-match curse at the ATP Finals, securing his first-ever victory in a tournament opener with a commanding performance against Australia's Alex de Minaur on Sunday. The Spanish sensation claimed the match 7-6(5) 6-2 in their Jimmy Connors Group clash at the season-ending championships in Turin, Italy.
Despite entering as the favorite, Alcaraz faced significant resistance from the determined Australian. De Minaur mounted an impressive comeback in the opening set, recovering from a 4-1 deficit and saving three break points at 0-40 on his own serve to force a tiebreak. However, Alcaraz's relentless pressure ultimately proved decisive in the crucial moments.
Zverev Dominates Debutant Shelton
In the day's other singles action, two-time champion Alexander Zverev delivered a powerful performance against American debutant Ben Shelton. The German veteran emerged victorious 6-3 7-6(6) in their Bjorn Borg Group encounter, though not without facing a late scare from the rising American star.
Zverev dominated the opening set with impressive serving, winning three service games without conceding a point while breaking Shelton twice. The 28-minute first set demonstrated why the German remains a formidable force in the tournament he's previously conquered.
Dramatic Turnaround in Second Set
The match took a dramatic turn in the second set as Shelton fought back valiantly. The American saved two break points to avoid going 3-1 down and eventually forced a tiebreak, where he built what seemed like an insurmountable 6-3 lead with three set points in hand.
However, Zverev showcased his championship experience with a stunning comeback, winning three consecutive points to deny Shelton and close out the match in straight sets. The collapse proved costly for the first-time qualifier, who had looked poised to force a deciding set.
Alcaraz acknowledged the challenge posed by his opponent in post-match comments. "It was a really difficult match," the Spaniard stated. "On this surface, Alex makes the most of the speed of the ball, he's super fast and really difficult on return. I'm just really happy to get through this really difficult challenge."
After securing the first-set tiebreak, Alcaraz visibly relaxed and began enjoying the occasion more, even cupping his ear to the crowd after winning a particularly entertaining rally to hold serve and extend his lead to 5-1 in the second set.
World Number One Battle Intensifies
The victory carries additional significance for Alcaraz, who is battling to finish the year as world number one for the second time in his young career. To achieve this goal, the Spanish star needs to reach the final with at least one round-robin victory or sweep all three of his group stage matches.
Italian favorite Jannik Sinner represents the primary competition for the top spot, though he must successfully defend his ATP Finals title to have any chance of overtaking Alcaraz. The home crowd will get their first opportunity to cheer for Sinner when he takes the court on Monday.
The ATP Finals features a record-breaking prize pool of $15.5 million and offers 1,500 ranking points to the champion. The tournament will culminate with the final at Turin's Inalpi Arena on November 16, marking the conclusion of the professional tennis season.
