Carlos Alcaraz’s ATP Finals campaign started on a challenging note as he faced a two-set defeat to Casper Ruud, losing 6-1, 7-5 in a swift 1 hour and 25 minutes. The setback now pressures the young Spanish star to win his next two matches to keep his tournament hopes alive. Since the Paris-Bercy tournament, Alcaraz has struggled with breathing issues, which didn’t make this opening match any easier. In a bid for comfort, he played with Vicks VapoRub on his chest and even experimented with a nasal strip.
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A Promising Start, But Missed Chances
The match opened as Alcaraz preferred—starting with the return. However, despite two early break points, he couldn’t capitalize. Ruud, who has struggled on indoor courts and was seen as the underdog, demonstrated resilience by converting four out of four break points. Ruud’s experience, particularly as a finalist in Turin last year, clearly gave him an edge.
Alcaraz’s Struggle to Regain Momentum
Despite fighting back after an initial slump, Alcaraz couldn’t recover. He faced multiple unforced errors, struggling especially against Ruud’s controlled pace. Alcaraz managed to hold serve momentarily but ultimately couldn’t turn the game around, with Ruud taking advantage of Alcaraz’s 26 unforced errors.
A Critical Next Match
This loss echoes Alcaraz’s rocky start in last season’s Finals, where he rebounded to reach the semifinals. His next match, likely against either Alexander Zverev or Andrey Rublev, will be crucial for survival in the tournament.
