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Carlos Alcaraz has maintained a dominant record of 68 wins in 76 matches played in 2025.
Carlos Alcaraz has stated he entered the ATP Finals “with motivation,” securing a victory over Alex de Minaur and advancing his pursuit of the year-end world number one ranking.
The 22-year-old Spaniard commenced his Jimmy Connors Group campaign with a 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 win, achieved in one hour and 40 minutes in Turin, Italy.
This marks Alcaraz’s third appearance at the season-ending tournament, where he is yet to reach the final.
He withdrew due to injury in 2022, was defeated in the semi-finals during his debut the following year, and failed to progress from his group last year.
Alcaraz is currently vying with Jannik Sinner for the top ranking, with Sinner recently reclaiming the number one spot after his triumph at the Paris Masters.
“I’ve found it challenging in the past three years to maintain energy and motivation towards the end of the year. This year feels different,” Alcaraz commented.
“I’m very proud of how I’ve prepared, allowing me to arrive here feeling motivated.”
“I’m excited and looking forward to playing at a high level and giving myself the opportunity to win this tournament.”
In the Bjorn Borg Group, Alexander Zverev, a two-time champion, showcased exceptional serving to defeat debutant Ben Shelton 6-3 7-6 (8-6).
The 28-year-old German conceded just one of 17 points on serve in the first set and 10 of 54 throughout the match, achieving an 81% first-serve percentage.
Zverev, an Australian Open finalist, did not face a single break point but had to recover from a 6-3 deficit in the second-set tie-break to secure the win.
He also capitalized on Shelton’s second serve, winning 16 of 21 return points.
“I knew that a high first-serve percentage was crucial against Ben, given his aggressiveness on the second serve,” Zverev explained.
“I recognized that as a key factor today and am extremely pleased with the victory.”
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World number two Alcaraz displayed flashes of brilliance with his signature shot-making against De Minaur, accumulating 32 winners, but experienced inconsistency in the first set.
Alcaraz established an early lead but failed to convert three break points for a 5-1 advantage, subsequently finding himself two points away from losing the opener in the tie-break.
De Minaur’s characteristic resilience brought him close to winning the set, but leading 5-3 in the breaker, he lost the subsequent four points.
The second set commenced with three consecutive breaks of serve, two in Alcaraz’s favor, before a sequence of three exceptional winners solidified Alcaraz’s control.
Despite the defeat, De Minaur, who remains winless against Alcaraz in five encounters, should draw encouragement from his performance against the six-time Grand Slam champion.
Taylor Fritz and Lorenzo Musetti, a late replacement for Novak Djokovic following the Serb’s withdrawal, complete the Jimmy Connors Group.
Alcaraz and defending champion Sinner have evenly divided the four Grand Slam titles this year.
Positioned in separate groups, they are widely anticipated to contest the final on Sunday, 16 November.
Here’s what each player needs to achieve to conclude 2025 as world number one:
Alcaraz will clinch the top spot by reaching the final or winning all three of his group matches.
Sinner must successfully defend his title while also requiring Alcaraz to lose a group match and not advance to the final.
In the doubles competition, British top seeds Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool, who secured the Wimbledon title in July, were defeated 7-5 6-3 by Italian duo Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori.
Earlier, Spain’s Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos of Argentina overcame Germany’s defending champions Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz 6-4 4-6 10-6.
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