Alcaraz got off to a good start at the ATP Finals

After two consecutive years of losing in the opening match of the ATP Finals (to Alexander Zverev in 2023 and Casper Ruud in 2024), Alcaraz broke the ice with the opening victory this year.

The Spanish tennis player soon impressed the audience at Inalpi Arena with accurate shots, quickly leading 4-1, 40-0 after just 25 minutes. However, consecutive unforced errors caused Alcaraz to lose a big advantage and were dragged into a tense tie-break series by the opponent. There, the world number one player calmed down, twice came back from losing the mini-break and scored four consecutive points from 3-5 to win the first set.

Making 19 unforced errors in the first set, Alcaraz still maintained a strong attacking style in the second set. The world number two player continuously took advantage of break points thanks to winners along the line to control the match. Alcaraz closed the match after two sets, to increase his record against De Minaur to 5-0.

"This match is really difficult ", Alcaraz said. "On this court, Alex makes good use of the speed of the ball, he is extremely fast and returns the serve very annoyingly. I am happy to overcome this challenge, and also satisfied with my performance going into the next matches ".

With the victory after 1 hour 40 minutes, Alcaraz strengthened his chances of winning the trophy for the year-end number one player, for the first time since 2022. He now only needs 250 more points. in Turin to edge out rival Jannik Sinner, while each group stage win is worth 200 points.

"This is one of the best we have on Tour ", added Alcaraz. "I've had a hard time over the past few years trying to stay motivated at the end of the season. This year is a little different, and I'm doing the right thing to give myself a chance to win this tournament. "Alcaraz will aim for its next win on Tuesday, meeting either Taylor Fritz or Lorenzo Musetti in the Jimmy Connors group. This year, he is leading the ATP Tour with 68 wins and 8 titles.

In the Bjorn Borg group, Alexander Zverev got off to a good start, defeating Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(6). The German player had to save three set-points, when Shelton rallied to lead 6-3 in the second set tie-break. A series of unforced errors from his American opponent helped Zverev win five points in a row to close the match after two sets.

The 28-year-old tennis player won the ATP Finals 2018 in London and 2021 in Turin. Zverev aims to become the eighth player in history to win three titles at the year's best-eight tournament.