Carlos Alcaraz Triumphs Over Rublev at ATP Finals Despite Illness

Carlos Alcaraz overcame illness to secure a hard-fought victory over Andrey Rublev at the ATP Tour Finals in Turin, winning 6-3, 7-6 (10-8). Despite struggling with chest discomfort that forced him to cut short his practice session on Tuesday, the 21-year-old Spaniard showed resilience, donning a nasal strip to aid his breathing and using a chest rub during breaks.

Alcaraz started strong, claiming four consecutive games to take the first set in just 37 minutes with a double break. In a tense second set, he edged out Rublev in a thrilling tie-break, hitting 33 winners compared to the Russian’s 14. “I surprised myself the way I played from the baseline. I was really calm,” Alcaraz commented, crediting his focus on strategy over health concerns.

Following his win, Alcaraz scribbled “Valencia” on a TV screen, expressing support for flood-hit regions in Spain. This victory marks a comeback after his opening-round loss to Casper Ruud. Now, Alcaraz prepares for his final group-stage match on Friday against Germany’s Alexander Zverev, who faces Ruud next.