ATP Finals 2024: Alexander Zverev expects the 'best yet' from ill Carlos Alcaraz after hard-fought Casper Ruud win

Casper Ruud had the opportunity to seal his semi-final spot at the ATP Finals in Turin with victory over world No.2 Alexander Zverev. But the German had other ideas, making the first and only break point of the match count in a hard-fought 7-6(3) 6-3 win. Zverev has not yet qualified for the last four, despite triumphing in his two opening contests, with Carlos Alcaraz up next on Friday.

Highlights: Zverev powers past Ruud to make it two wins from two at ATP Finals

Video credit: TNT Sports

Alexander Zverev is expecting Carlos Alcaraz to bring his A-game to the pair's encounter on Friday, after the German battled hard to defeat Casper Ruud in straight sets on Wednesday evening.

The result of that clash with the young Spaniard will be crucial in determining who goes through to the ATP Finals last four.

Having prevailed in his first match against the winless Andrey Rublev, Zverev was given a stern challenge by his Norwegian opponent, capitalising on the contest's only break point to seal a 7-6(3) 6-3 victory.

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And after the match, Zverev expected Alcaraz to be back to his very best come Friday, with the Spaniard suffering from illness thus far in the tournament.

"We've played some very tough battles this year at Grand Slam events, in the Australia and French Opens, so I'm expecting a tough match," Zverev told Sky Sports after his victory.

"I'm expecting him to play his best tennis yet here. So we'll see how it goes. I'm looking forward to it.

"I think we're both very much in good shape right now so hopefully it's going to be fun to watch."

Highlights: Alcaraz overcomes illness to beat Rublev and boost ATP Finals hopes

Video credit: SNTV

At the end of a relentless first set that went all the way with serve, nothing could separate the pair but a nail-biting tie-break, eventually won by the German, who forced two mini-breaks from Ruud's first three serves.

The quality of each player's service game was on show for all to see, with six of the 12 games won to love, split equally between them.

In fact, neither could find the consistency as a receiver to get even a glimpse of a break point, and that pattern continued deep into the second set.

One hour and 23 minutes of play into the contest, Zverev was finally rewarded with the match's first break point, and the world No. 2 did not risk falling back on the second that was coming his way at 40-15 up.

That was the catalyst for a swift conclusion, with Zverev battering in his fifth love-hold of the evening to wrap up the straight-sets win.

"I did feel quite good on serve. I do feel like I'm hitting my spots well, also the speed is maybe a bit up from the last few weeks," said Zverev.

"I thought today's match was actually better from the baseline than the first match, even though I think Casper's first serve percentage in the first set must have been up in the 80s."

In fact, the Norwegian's first serve percentage in the first set was 83%, though even that was eclipsed by Zverev in the second, who reached a monumental 88%.

"[It was a] good match," said Zverev. "I thought both of us played quite good tennis. I'm happy with the win. I thought maybe it was still a little bit better than the first match, even though the first match was quite good as well.

"But I'm looking forward to Carlos on Friday and then hopefully a few more matches on the weekend."

The tight John Newcombe group is still hanging in the balance ahead of the final set of encounters on Friday.

Zverev is in pole position at the top, but should he lose to the Spaniard and Ruud dispatches Rublev, qualification could come down to games won.

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