World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz has dug himself a gap within the ongoing ATP Finals because of a sluggish begin.
Regardless of his 6-3, 7-6 win over World No. 8 Andrey Rublev on Wednesday, the Spaniard faces a tall order to qualify for the semifinals of the year-ending match this weekend. After two round-robin matches, Alcaraz (1-1) sits in third place within the John Newcombe Group behind World No. 2 Alexander Zverev (2-0) and No. 7 Casper Ruud (1-1) since he misplaced in straight units to the latter in his opening match.
In consequence, Alcaraz now requires Ruud to lose in straight units to Rublev within the last group stage match on Thursday. Moreover, he should defeat Zverev in straight units on Friday to maintain his possibilities alive of qualifying for the ultimate 4. Zverev, who received his first two matches in straight units, is all however assured a spot within the semis — even a loss to Alcaraz wouldn’t damage his possibilities.
The ATP has listed various scenarios that would assist Alcaraz qualify for the ultimate 4. Probably the most intriguing one is that if Alcaraz defeats Zverev in straight units and Ruud beats Rublev in three units, the Spaniard would win the group and Zverev would end second.
The one factor working in Alcaraz’s favor is the Ruud vs. Rublev takes place a day earlier, giving him readability going into his match with Zverev. As such, he would know the precise permutations and mixtures wanted to punch his ticket for the ultimate 4.
As for the Ilie Nastase Group, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner (2-0) is sort of a lock to qualify for the ultimate 4 after profitable his first two matches in straight units. World No. 5 Taylor Fritz (1-1) and No. 4 Daniil Medvedev (1-1) are locked in a decent battle for the second semifinal spot, however the former is at the moment within the lead on account of extra video games received (20 to 19). The American can seal a semifinal spot with a win over Alex De Minaur on Thursday.
Novak Djokovic received the earlier two ATP Finals however withdrew from this year’s tournament citing harm restoration. From this 12 months’s subject, solely Zverev (2021, 2018) and Medvedev (2020) have received the celebrated match earlier than.
