On the evening of November 15, at the Inalpi Arena in Torino, Italy, young world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz was unable to overcome Alexander Zverev in their decisive ATP Finals 2024 group-stage match. Losing 6-7(5), 4-6, Alcaraz saw his chances of advancing vanish, failing to replicate his semifinal run from last year.
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Meanwhile, Zverev continued his impressive form, winning all six sets in the group stage to top the group. The German will face Taylor Fritz in the semifinals, while Casper Ruud—who finished second in the group—will face Jannik Sinner in the other semifinal match.
Zverev Shines With Consistent Form
Seventh-ranked Zverev entered the match brimming with confidence and played with remarkable consistency. His first-serve accuracy of 79% allowed him to dominate his service games. On the other hand, Carlos Alcaraz, just 21 years old, struggled to fend off seven break points in the first set.
In the tie-break, despite moments where Alcaraz held the advantage, Zverev maintained his composure and secured the set with a 7-5 win. Losing the first set drained Alcaraz’s morale, especially since the outcome of the Casper Ruud vs. Andrey Rublev match could still have impacted his fate.
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The second set saw a significant dip in Alcaraz’s performance. He lost his service game early and never managed to recover. This victory allowed Zverev to even his head-to-head record with Alcaraz this year at two wins apiece.
Rivalry With Friendship
After the match, Zverev expressed satisfaction in avenging his earlier losses to Alcaraz in critical matches this season, including the Roland Garros 2024 final. “He’s beaten me in some big matches this year, so I’m really happy to get my revenge,” Zverev said.
However, he also emphasized the mutual respect and friendship between the two: “We’re rivals, but we’re also friends. I hope we can play many more matches against each other in the future.”
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Ruud Secures Final Semifinal Spot; Fritz Awaits Zverev
In another match that evening, Casper Ruud secured a hard-fought victory over Andrey Rublev with a score of 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, earning the final semifinal spot. Ruud will face home favorite Jannik Sinner in the semifinal at 2:30 AM on November 17 (Hanoi time).
Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev will take on Taylor Fritz at 8:30 PM on November 16. This match presents an opportunity for Zverev to avenge his loss to Fritz in the quarterfinals of the 2024 US Open—a match Zverev described as his “worst of the year.”
Big Earnings at ATP Finals
The ATP Finals is not only a stage for the year’s best players to compete but also an opportunity for them to earn significant prize money. Every participant is guaranteed at least $331,000, with an additional $396,500 awarded for each group-stage victory.
The two semifinal winners will receive $1.12 million each, while the eventual champion will earn another $2.24 million, bringing the total potential earnings for the winner to over $4 million. This staggering sum highlights the high stakes of the tournament.
Hope and Pressure for the Future
For Carlos Alcaraz, this defeat is a valuable lesson. Although he failed to replicate last year’s semifinal achievement, he remains one of the brightest young stars in tennis today. While the weight of expectations can be burdensome, it also serves as motivation for Alcaraz to continue improving in the coming seasons.
For Alexander Zverev, this victory not only confirms his strong form but also provides a crucial psychological boost ahead of the semifinal. He will need to maintain his level of play to overcome Taylor Fritz, a formidable opponent.
As the semifinals approach, excitement and anticipation are reaching their peak. Who will emerge as the ATP Finals 2024 champion? The answer will soon be revealed, but one thing is certain: these matches will keep fans on the edge of their seats.
