Alcaraz opens ATP finals campaign with confident win over De Minaur

Carlos Alcaraz says he has arrived at the ATP Finals “motivated and refreshed” after beginning his bid for the year-end world number one ranking with a straight-sets victory over Alex de Minaur in Turin, Sport360NG reports.

The 22-year-old Spaniard overcame a patchy first set to defeat the Australian 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 in one hour and 40 minutes, giving him an ideal start in the round-robin phase of the season-ending event.

Competing in the ATP Finals for the third time, Alcaraz is yet to reach the championship match. He was forced to withdraw through injury in 2022, fell in the semi-finals on debut, and failed to progress beyond the group stage last year.

Now in a two-way battle with home favourite Jannik Sinner for the year-end top ranking, Alcaraz could reclaim the No. 1 position by reaching the final or winning all three of his group matches. Sinner, who returned to the summit after his Paris Masters triumph last week, must successfully defend his title and hope Alcaraz slips up.

“I’ve struggled in past seasons to finish the year with enough energy and motivation, but this time feels different,” Alcaraz said afterwards. “I’m proud of the work I’ve done to arrive here feeling fresh and excited to play great tennis. I want to give myself a real chance to win this tournament.”

Despite moments of inconsistency in the opener, Alcaraz’s 32 winners and trademark flair ultimately proved decisive. After letting a 4-1 lead slip and facing set points in the tie-break, he rallied from 3-5 down to snatch it 7-5.

Three consecutive breaks marked the start of the second set before a series of dazzling forehand winners helped the Spaniard pull clear and seal the win.

De Minaur, who remains winless in five meetings with Alcaraz, pushed hard throughout and will take encouragement from his display against the six-time Grand Slam champion.

The other members of the Jimmy Connors Group are American Taylor Fritz and Italian Lorenzo Musetti, who replaced Novak Djokovic following the Serb’s withdrawal on Saturday.

Elsewhere, two-time champion Alexander Zverev opens play in the Bjorn Borg Group against American debutant Ben Shelton on Sunday evening.

In doubles action, Spain’s Marcel Granollers and Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos defeated Germany’s defending champions Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz 6-4, 4-6, 10-6. Wimbledon winners Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool, the top seeds, face Italy’s Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori later in the day.