Top seed Carlos Alcaraz began his ATP Finals campaign in Turin with a commanding 7-6(5), 6-2 victory over Alex de Minaur on Sunday.
De Minaur, known for his speed and relentless defence, fought back from a 1-4 deficit to force a tiebreak in the opening set. Alcaraz, however, held his nerve at the crucial moment to edge it 7-5.
After sealing the first set, Alcaraz quickly took control of the second. He broke de Minaur three times and raced to a 4-1 lead before closing out the match in one hour and 36 minutes. The win marks Alcaraz’s first opening-match victory at the ATP Finals after falling short in his previous two appearances.
“It was a really difficult match,” said Alcaraz. “On this surface, Alex makes the most of the speed of the ball. He’s super fast and really difficult on return. I’m just really happy to get through this really difficult challenge.”
The triumph also bolsters his bid to finish the season as world number one. Alcaraz must reach the final or win all his group matches to secure the top ranking ahead of rival Jannik Sinner.
De Minaur, still chasing his first win at the year-ending event, vowed to respond stronger in his next outing. For Alcaraz, the win puts him in early control of the Jimmy Connors Group.
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