ATP Finals: Ruud stuns Alcaraz, claim maiden Top three win on hard courts

Casper Ruud claimed his maiden Top 3 win on hard courts on Monday after a superb straight sets display against 2024 Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP Finals in Turin.

The 25-year-old right handed player, began his campaign by defeating former World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz 6-1 7-5 on centre court on Monday.

“It’s only one match, but it’s definitely one of the best wins of the season for me,” said Ruud. “In terms of who I’m playing, his level, his ranking and all this stuff. I feel very happy of course. I think we will see Carlos play better tennis than he did today, but I took care of my chances.

Although Alcaraz appeared below his physical best during Monday’s encounter, Ruud looked transformed from the player who entered the match having registered just two wins since the US Open.

“I have not been [full of] confidence in the past weeks or months, so it was a great win for me and hopefully I can build on it, and I would like to get some more wins while I am in Turin.”

“It can be a bit tricky,” said Ruud, when asked about playing when an opponent is not at 100 per cent. “I knew he was dealing with a bit of a cold. I saw him sniffling in the back area and with a tissue for his nose, so that’s a sign that maybe physically he won’t be necessarily at 100 per cent. Of course, that is sad, and not good for him, but at the same time it is part of the game.

“I knew it coming in. I tried to make him play rallies and do my best, but it’s not easy because when you kind of know that someone is not 100 per cent, maybe you get stressed yourself. You think, ‘This is a really big chance for me to maybe try to win’. So I just tried to stay in my world, the moment, and luckily I got a good start. I got a break early and kept it, and in the second set I was able to turn it around with some good tennis at the end.”

Ruud will next seek to earn a second win on Wednesday, when he will face Alexander Zverev in John Newcombe Group.

Monday’s defeat is an early blow to Alcaraz’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals in Turin for the second consecutive year, but the Spaniard will hope to raise his game for his next match as he chases his fifth tour-level title of the season.