Ailing Alcaraz outclasses Rublev to revive ATP Finals bid

Spain's Alcaraz defeats Rublev, Zverev beats Ruud in ATP Finals, setting up exciting group stage finale.

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz made light of feeling under the weather as he dispatched Russia's Andrey Rublev in impressive fashion to revive his ATP Finals hopes on Wednesday (November 13, 2024).

The Spanish four-times Grand Slam champion has been suffering with respiratory issues in Turin and wore pink nasal tape against Rublev in a resounding 6-3 7-6(8) victory.

In the late match in the John Newcombe group, two-times former champion Alexander Zverev, the world number two, underlined his superb late-season form to beat Norway's Casper Ruud 7-6(3) 6-3 for his second victory of the week.

None of the eight men's singles matches so far at this year's season-ender have gone to three sets.

Third seed Alcaraz, bidding to win the title for the first time, looked far sharper than during his opening group match which ended in a straight-sets defeat by Ruud.

"I did surprise myself," Alcaraz, who had to abandon a practice session on Tuesday, said on court. "I just tried to focus on my game and what I had to do and not that I wasn't feeling well. Once you step on court you have to forget that.

"I felt good from the baseline running and felt I had more options today."