Andrey Rublev was very impressed with Carlos Alcaraz’s performance against him at the ATP Finals.
The 21-year-old needed a strong showing after suffering a shock defeat to Casper Ruud in his first match in Turin.
Despite not feeling at his best physically, Alcaraz showed his quality and resolve to claim a 6-3, 7-6(8) victory over the Russian to keep his chance of reaching the semi-finals alive.
Rublev’s second successive defeat at the ATP Finals means he has no chance of making the final four, and will be playing for pride against Alexander Zverev in his final match.
What does Andrey Rublev think Carlos Alcaraz did differently in their ATP Finals match?
After trailing Andrey Rublev 2-3 in set one, Carlos Alcaraz upped his level and won four successive games to take the opening set.
Both players were supreme on serve in set two, which was decided on a tiebreak, during which the Spaniard saved two set points before sealing an important victory.
Post-match Rublev assessed Alcaraz’s performance and gave special credit to the way Alcaraz served, a shot that is not often praised as often as other aspects of his game. The four-time Grand Slam winner won 84% of first serve points against Rublev and 63% behind his second delivery.
“Out of all the matches we played each other, he played the best level today,” Ruvlev told reporters. “Even if we take our match last year and our match in Madrid, he played the best level today.
“Even with the serve he goes a lot mixing with spin but today he was going full serve flat and making a high percentage of the first serve.”
Carlos Alcaraz battles illness to keep ATP Finals hopes alive
Alcaraz’s hopes of reaching the last four at the ATP Finals looked bleak after his defeat to Ruud in addition to suffering from illness.
Alcaraz even cancelled a practice session early the day before facing Rublev, which put his hopes of progressing in even more doubt.
But Alcaraz wore a nasal band against the eighth seed which he said helped his breathing. Though still not feeling his best, Alcaraz claimed the win and is preparing to face Zverev in his final group match to try and progress to the semi-finals.
Providing a fitness update after beating Rublev, Alcaraz told Sky Sports: “I could be better. I could be healthier.
“I just tried to forget the things that are going on right now and step on the court and play good tennis, and try not to think about my injuries right now. I have been struggling the last week and I think I am going to stay struggling for the next day for sure.”
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