Carlos Alcaraz struggled with a stomach issue and looked far from the player who won two Grand Slams this year while losing to Casper Ruud 6-1, 7-5 at the ATP Finals. (More Sports News)
It marked Ruud's first victory over Alcaraz in five career meetings, and the result could make it difficult for Alcaraz to advance from the round-robin stage at the season-ending event for the top eight players.
바카라I didn't feel well on court,바카라 Alcaraz said. 바카라A few days before coming here, I got sick at home. ... This morning, I feel uncomfortable in the stomach.바카라
In the same group, Alexander Zverev began his bid for a third ATP Finals title by beating Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-4.
The top two finishers from each group advance to the semifinals.
On Sunday, top-ranked Jannik Sinner and U.S. Open finalist Taylor Fritz beat Alex de Minaur and Daniil Medvedev, respectively, in the other group.
Alcaraz won the French Open and Wimbledon to boost his career total to four Grand Slam titles. But he also struggled at the Paris Masters recently and dropped behind Zverev to No. 3 in the rankings this week.
바카라I have no experience playing on indoor courts,바카라 Alcaraz said. 바카라I'll be a really good player on indoor courts, I'm sure about it. But I think it's about time, about getting experience. ... A lot of players are better than me on indoor court.바카라
Ruud reached the 2021 semifinals and 2022 final in his first two appearances at the finals. But he has struggled recently, too, losing his first or second match in his last seven events.
바카라I'm not full of confidence,바카라 Ruud said. 바카라A match like today might be able to change it.바카라
Alcaraz was broken when he served for the second set at 5-4.
Alcaraz led 25-16 in winners but committed 26 unforced errors to Ruud's 10.
Ruud converted all four of his break points while Alcaraz was just one of six in that category.
바카라I'm tired mentally," Alcaraz said. "Obviously a lot of matches, really tight schedule, really demanding year with not too many days off.바카라
Zverev Rolling After Paris Masters Title
Zverev, who won the finals in 2018 in London and 2021 in Turin, extended his winning streak to six matches following a title run at the Paris Masters.
Rublev is making his fifth consecutive appearance at the finals but hasn't won a match at the event since 2022.
Zverev served nine aces and dropped only 10 points on his serve in 10 service games.
바카라He served wide 220 (kph) on the deuce side,바카라 Rublev said. "Normally everybody serves slice and it's 190. He find(s) a way to serve 220 wide on the deuce side. It's not easy.
바카라Even if you catch the direction, when the flat serve comes 227, slice serve comes 219, 215, it's tough to just see the ball.바카라
Sinner Receives No. 1 Trophy
Before the Zverev-Rublev match, Sinnner received the trophy for finishing the year at No. 1 in the rankings.
바카라There's no place better to celebrate this trophy,바카라 Sinner said as his mom, Siglinde, looked on in tears. 바카라Thanks for all of your support.바카라
Sinner is playing at home for the first time since it was announced before his U.S. Open title that he tested positive in two separate drug tests this year.
A decision to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency in September. A final ruling in the case is expected early next year.
