In a pulsating opening match at the ATP Finals in Turin, Carlos Alcaraz demonstrated why he's considered one of tennis's brightest stars, though not without a significant scare from the relentless Alex de Minaur. The young Spaniard eventually prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in a contest that showcased both his explosive power and his opponent's incredible defensive resilience.
Early Dominance Gives Way to Australian Fightback
The match began with Alcaraz looking every bit the favourite, breaking de Minaur's serve early to take control of the first set. His trademark powerful groundstrokes and aggressive net play seemed to overwhelm the Australian initially. However, as the contest progressed, de Minaur's legendary retrieving abilities came to the fore. The world number 12 began extending rallies, forcing Alcaraz into uncharacteristic errors and breaking back to level the second set.
De Minaur's persistence paid off when he broke Alcaraz at 4-4 in the second set, capitalising on a rare dip in concentration from the Spaniard. He then served out the set to love, sending shockwaves through the Pala Alpitour and setting up a decider that few had predicted would be necessary.
Composure Under Pressure Seals Victory
The final set saw both players raise their level, with several breathtaking exchanges that had the Italian crowd on their feet. The crucial moment came with Alcaraz leading 3-2, when he manufactured a break point opportunity with a stunning cross-court forehand. De Minaur saved that chance but couldn't withstand the continued pressure, eventually conceding the break in a marathon game that lasted over ten minutes.
From there, Alcaraz's serve found its rhythm, and he closed out the match with an authority that had been missing during parts of the second set. The victory marks an important start to Alcaraz's campaign in the Red Group, which also includes Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton.
What This Means for the Tournament
This hard-fought victory sends a clear message that Alcaraz, despite his youth, possesses the mental fortitude to grind out wins even when not at his brilliant best. For de Minaur, the performance proves he can compete with the very elite in the sport, and he'll take considerable confidence into his remaining round-robin matches.
The match duration of two hours and twenty-three minutes underscores the physical demands of the ATP Finals format, where every point carries significant weight. Both players will need to recover quickly, with Alcaraz next facing Alexander Zverev in what promises to be another explosive encounter, while de Minaur takes on American rising star Ben Shelton.
Elsewhere in Turin, Daniil Medvedev began his campaign with a straight-sets victory over Andrey Rublev in the Green Group, setting up an intriguing battle for semi-final spots as the tournament progresses through the week.
