Carlos Alcaraz has returned to his devastating ardor. For this second day of the red group in the Turin Masters, on the central court of the Palais Omnisports, the world number two won in two sets after a 1h13 demonstration against Andrey Rublev (7-5, 6-2). For their first meeting on the ATP circuit, the two tennis players fought a battle quickly won in the cause of the Spaniard, never worried about his service games. On the third and final day, “Carlitos” will play his qualification in the semi-final against Daniil Medvedev. For Rublev, the Piedmontese adventure will end at the group stage.
Carlos Alcaraz should not be buried too quickly at the end of the calendar year. Beaten during his last two outings in Paris-Bercy and Turin, the Murcian took advantage of the format linked to the masters tournament to resurface in the elite of world tennis. At the Pala Alpitour, the outgoing semi-finalist of the US Open performed very well to pocket his first career success in this tournament where the top 8 meet to close the year.
Faced with Alcaraz, Rublev was a regular at this meeting and remained on course to qualify for the semi-finals last season. But overall, the Muscovite did not last long and now has two defeats in two sets, synonymous with elimination.
94% of points won on first ball for Alcaraz
How did Alcaraz emerge victorious from this first showdown against Rublev? No doubt thanks to a better variation of shots and more creativity compared to his opponent. Both equally comfortable with the intensity when serving, the two men left no opportunity for a break during the first eight games. At 4-4 and 30-40, Alcaraz offered himself a first opportunity without managing to convert it. That said, the psychological advantage was shifting in favor of the number two seed. This was verified at 5-5 where on his third break possibility, the Spaniard rushed into the breach. In the process, the conclusion of the set was only a formality (7-5).
Frustrated by this turn of events, Rublev undoubtedly found himself battling his own demons. Result of the races: the Russian led 30-15 in the first game of the second set before losing his composure and conceding three consecutive points to suffer a break at the start of the second set.
Furious, Rublev hits himself with his racket
With the energy of despair, the defending champion in Monte-Carlo held on so as not to capitulate too quickly, but Alcaraz’s superiority on the court, especially in serving, was visible like the nose in the middle of the face. At 4-2 in his favor, Juan Carlos Ferrero’s protégé hit the nail on the head with a white break. Disoriented, Rublev lost the last twelve points of the match, giving his opponent a highway to victory (6-2). Alcaraz has not said his last word in Turin, and champagne tennis fans will certainly not complain.