Zverev Dominates Turin: ATP Finals Drama Unfolds as Alcaraz’s Season Ends
In a dramatic turn of events at the 2024 Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, Alexander Zverev continued his impressive late-season surge, defeating Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(5), 6-4 to top the John Newcombe Group with a perfect 3-0 record.
The German star, who has now extended his winning streak to eight matches, showcased remarkable form on the fast-paced Inalpi Arena court. “He beat me too many times this year in important matches, so I’m happy that I got this one,” Zverev said after his victory, acknowledging the pair’s growing rivalry.
Alcaraz’s Season Finale Struggles
For Carlos Alcaraz, the tournament marked another challenging end to his season. The 21-year-old Spanish sensation, who hasn’t claimed a title since Wimbledon, showed signs of both physical and mental fatigue.
Wearing a nasal strip across the bridge of his nose for better breathing, Alcaraz faced straight-set defeats against both Casper Ruud and Zverev, managing only one win against Andrey Rublev.
“If someone says that he is fresh, he is lying,” Alcaraz admitted candidly in a press conference. “I’m tired. I’m tired mentally.” The exhaustion stems from a demanding year that included Olympic participation and a gutting loss to Novak Djokovic in the gold medal match.
Semi-Finals Set
The tournament’s semi-final lineup is now confirmed:
- Evening Match (8:30 PM): Jannik Sinner vs. Casper Ruud
- Afternoon Match (2:30 PM): Alexander Zverev vs. Taylor Fritz
Zverev’s performance statistics tell a compelling story:
- Tour-leading 69 wins in 2024
- Nine aces against Alcaraz
- 73% first-serve points won
- No service breaks in his last four matches
Doubles Competition
The doubles semi-finals will feature:
- Max Purcell/Jordan Thompson vs. Kevin Krawietz/Tim Puetz
- Marcelo Arevalo/Mate Pavic vs. Harri Heliovaara/Henry Patten
Despite his early exit, Alcaraz’s season statistics remain impressive with a 14-4 record since the U.S. Open and a 77.8% win rate. However, these numbers fall short of the sky-high expectations placed on the heir apparent to men’s tennis’s greatest era.
The tournament continues to showcase the evolution of men’s tennis, with Zverev’s resurgence and Sinner’s consistent excellence pointing toward an exciting future for the sport. As the competition heads into its final stages, all eyes will be on the semi-finals to see who emerges victorious in this prestigious season-ending championship.
Looking ahead, Alcaraz still has the emotional weight of the Davis Cup competition next week, which will notably include Rafael Nadal’s farewell matches. This adds another layer of pressure to what has already been an exhausting season for the young Spanish star.