Carlos Alcaraz is back in business and has this afternoon sent a message to the field at the ATP Finals.
It wasn’t a resounding message that the Spaniard has been accustomed to – but he despatched Andrey Rublev in straight sets nonetheless.
Alcaraz delivered an update on how he feels after the win in Turin and he now faces Alexander Zverev tomorrow in his final group game.
The 21-year-old was forced to cut short his training yesterday and at one point it looked as though Grigor Dimitrov might get the nod as the first alternative.
But, Alcaraz stepped off his sick bed to set up a mouthwatering clash with Zverev with all still to play for in the group.
In the first match – a defeat to Casper Ruud – Alcaraz’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero was spotted doing something in his box.
However, it was noticeable that it was all change for his latest match…
Laura Robson shares what she noticed about Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Alcaraz during ATP Finals win
It’s a great sight to see Alcaraz on a tennis court and enjoying himself.
Rublev might not think so after being on the wrong end of some brilliant shots but for the spectators in Turin, it made for a great afternoon.
Robson shared what she noticed about Alcaraz following the match and she believes Alcaraz was always going to play.
The former Great Britain star also spotted something different about Ferrero whilst the match was ongoing.
The Sky Sports Tennis pundit said: “When you saw him on the court this morning for 30 minutes practice, you know it’s game on. He wouldn’t have taken the court unless he felt he could win. At this point in the season you know there’s no point extending the illness.
“He was ready to fight and he was. The dialogue between him and his camp was back again. They were fist-pumping just as much as he was on the court, so the energy in the whole team felt very different today.
Alcaraz must dig deep to win maiden ATP Finals title
Of all the tournaments to take ill at, the one with the world’s best in play is probably not the one to pick.
The eight players involved are – in theory – the eight most in-form players in world tennis and Alcaraz will be aware of the competition.
He did show flashes of brilliance against Rublev though and if he digs deep, he could still lift the title in Turin.
Jannik Sinner will have say though and both Daniil Medvedev and Zverev are playing nice tennis at the moment.
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