After facing challenges with form and fitness in recent months, world number two Carlos Alcaraz staged a remarkable comeback, securing a decisive 7-5, 6-2 victory over an emotionally charged Andrey Rublev at the ATP Finals on Wednesday.
Alcaraz, initially at risk of early elimination following a loss to Alexander Zverev in his first Red Group match, showcased significant improvement and marked his first-ever win in the season-ending tournament, breaking a three-match losing streak in the process.
Expressing his satisfaction with the performance, Alcaraz shared with reporters, "You could see I've been struggling with my level the last few months, a few tournaments. Playing this match of this quality at this level is really helpful for me. I'm really happy to show this level and realise that my level is still there, giving myself a chance in this tournament. After this win, everything has changed in my mind."
The 20-year-old Spaniard demonstrated his prowess against the fifth-seeded Rublev, who struggled once again in a crucial match. Rublev, visibly distressed after losing his opener to Daniil Medvedev, faced another setback as he lost control and, in frustration, began smashing his racket into his left knee, drawing blood. The troubled Russian, bleeding down his leg, ultimately succumbed to his emotions, leading to a disheartening collapse on the court.
Rublev, while downplaying the self-inflicted injury, acknowledged the difficulty he is facing in concluding the season on a positive note. "It's not easy because you always want to finish in a good way. Sometimes, yeah, you get disappointed when it's not happening," he remarked.
Although not officially eliminated, Rublev recognises the challenge ahead, stating, "To be honest, now I don't expect anything. It's going to be the last match. At least I will try to do something better than the previous two matches, and that's it. Try at least to finish in a good way."
With this win, Carlos Alcaraz sets the stage for a crucial final match against Daniil Medvedev, who has the opportunity to secure a spot in the semifinals with a straight-sets victory in his upcoming clash with Alexander Zverev. The outcome also positions seventh-seeded Zverev to advance with any form of victory in his match against Medvedev later on Wednesday.
