ATP Finals, Zverev doesn’t betray in opener: Rublev knocked out in two sets

Alexander Zverev-Andrey Rublev 6-4 6-4

Perfect debut for Alexander Zverev at the ATP Finals. The world number one, in fact, left no chance to Andrey Rublev, number 8 in the ATP ranking, defeated with a final score of 6-4 6-4, the same result with which the German beat the Russian a year ago also in Turin.

After the first six games in which both players conceded crumbs on serve, in the seventh came Zverev’s sudden break thanks to a few too many errors by Rublev. The world number two goes up 4-3 and keeps the lead until the final 6-4, sealed with a first-set winner.

Rublev also gets off to a strong start in the second set but is unable to trouble Zverev on serve. The balance holds until 4-4. Here the Russian stumbles into a lapse that costs him dearly: the German scratches the break (5-4) and closes the file on serve (6-4).

Thanks to this victory Zverev joins Casper Ruud at the top of the Newcombe round. The two will face each other on Wednesday for a spot in the semifinals, while Rublev will face Carlos Alcaraz in what will already be an inside-out challenge.