ATP Finals: Carlos Alcaraz suffers shocking loss to Casper Ruud in season finale in Turin

Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shocking first-round loss to Casper Ruud at the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin on Monday.

Norwegian star Ruud devastated the John Newcombe group with an impressive 6-1, 7-5 victory over world No. 3 Alcaraz at the Inalpi Arena.

Ruud, who reached the championship match in his last appearance in 2022, took advantage of the Spaniard’s lackluster performance to end the match in the 86th minute.

“It’s only one game, but considering the opponent and the standings, this is one of the best wins of the season,” Ruud said in an on-court interview.

“Obviously I’m really happy and I think I got to see Carlos play better tennis, but I cherished my opportunity.

“This is a great win for me as I haven’t been feeling confident or in form for the last few months and I’m hoping to win a few more in Turin. I know he’s probably had a bit of a cold,” he said. I did.

“I’ve seen him snorting in this area and he’s always putting tissues up to his nose so physically he might not be 100 per cent and that’s sad and not good for him. But that’s part of the game.”

“I tried to get him to rally and do his best. I got a good start, got an early break, and was able to come back in the second set with some good tennis at the end.”

Ruud, who had lost all four of his previous matches against Alcaraz, survived a break point in the first game, but then a stunning error from the Spaniard’s racquet took control of the first set.

She failed to hold serve in the first six games, converted five break points, and surrendered the first set in 36 minutes.

However, the 21-year-old got off to a strong start, taking a 5-2 lead in the second set, breaking his serve with a deft volley, and surrendering just two points from equalizing. At first it appeared that order had been restored.

Dropping his serve at 5-3, Alcaraz looked disheartened as he scurried off the court as Norwegian star Ruud won his fifth straight match for an impressive victory.

Alcaraz, who won the French Open and Wimbledon titles this year, is hoping to become the first Spaniard to win the prestigious year-end title since Alex Correcha in 1998.

Rood later told Sky Sports’ Tim Henman: “I play as an underdog. I’ve been able to do well here in the past.”

He will next face either Alexander Zverev or Andrei Rublev on Wednesday, looking for his second win.

“Alcaraz’s drop shot was a relief.”

“We certainly owe him an apology. I think I said Alcaraz in straight sets,” said former British number one Laura Robson. sky sports tennis.

“We didn’t expect that at all. When we looked at the numbers after the match, he only won 50 percent on his first serve.

“Rude was just consistent and didn’t overplay.

“Seeing that on the practice court gives him hope and confidence.

“Mr. Alcaraz had a strip in his nose because he was having trouble breathing.

“He started with some belief, but nothing happened with Carlos, which was a surprise to me.

“Trying to play a drop shot in a situation like this is difficult. Probably not the best shot selection. For me, it was a bit of a relief.”

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Ruud’s record against top 10 opponents

Henman: Back to square one in Alcaraz.

“We have very high expectations for Alcaraz because we have seen some great tennis from him,” Henman said.

“The first game is never simple, so Alcaraz is back to square one.

“Rude will gain a lot of confidence by winning in straight sets and leading the group.”

Tuesday, Nitto ATP Finals on Sky Sports Tennis

Former champion Daniil Medvedev will face Alex de Minaur in the Ilie Nastase group at 1pm (GMT).
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will face American Taylor Fritz at 7:30 p.m.

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