TURIN, Italy — Carlos Alcaraz struggled with a abdomen concern and regarded removed from the participant who received two Grand Slams this yr whereas shedding to Casper Ruud 6-1, 7-5 on the ATP Finals on Monday.
It marked Ruud’s first victory over Alcaraz in 5 profession conferences, and the outcome might make it troublesome for Alcaraz to advance from the round-robin stage on the season-ending occasion for the highest eight gamers.
“I did not really feel properly on courtroom,” Alcaraz mentioned. “Just a few days earlier than coming right here, I obtained sick at residence. … This morning, I really feel uncomfortable within the abdomen.”
In the identical group, Alexander Zverev started his bid for a 3rd ATP Finals title by beating Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-4.
The highest two finishers from every group advance to the semifinals.
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On Sunday, top-ranked Jannik Sinner and US Open finalist Taylor Fritz beat Alex De Minaur and Daniil Medvedev, respectively, within the different group.
Alcaraz received the French Open and Wimbledon to spice up his profession whole to 4 Grand Slam titles. However he additionally struggled on the Paris Masters not too long ago and dropped behind Zverev to No. 3 within the rankings this week.
“I’ve no expertise taking part in on indoor courts,” Alcaraz mentioned. “I will be a extremely good participant on indoor courts, I am certain about it. However I believe it is about time, about getting expertise. … Lots of gamers are higher than me on indoor courtroom.”
Ruud reached the 2021 semifinals and 2022 last in his first two appearances on the finals. However he has struggled not too long ago, too, shedding his first or second match in his final seven occasions.
“I am not stuffed with confidence,” Ruud mentioned. “A match like in the present day may be capable to change it.”
Alcaraz was damaged when he served for the second set at 5-4.
Alcaraz led 25-16 in winners however dedicated 26 unforced errors to Ruud’s 10.
Ruud transformed all 4 of his break factors whereas Alcaraz was simply one in every of six in that class.
“I am drained mentally,” Alcaraz mentioned. “Clearly a number of matches, actually tight schedule, actually demanding yr with not too many days off.”
Zverev, who received the finals in 2018 in London and 2021 in Turin, prolonged his successful streak to 6 matches following a title run on the Paris Masters.
Rublev is making his fifth consecutive look on the finals however hasn’t received a match on the occasion since 2022.
Zverev served 9 aces and dropped solely 10 factors on his serve in 10 service video games.
“He served broad 220 (kph) on the deuce facet,” Rublev mentioned. “Usually all people serves slice and it is 190. He discover(s) a option to serve 220 broad on the deuce facet. It is not simple.
“Even in the event you catch the course, when the flat serve comes 227, slice serve comes 219, 215, it is powerful to simply see the ball.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.
