German downs Alcaraz in straight sets to top John Newcombe Group

Can anyone halt Alexander Zverev’s late-season surge at the Nitto ATP Finals?

The German on Friday extended his winning streak to eight matches by sinking Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(5), 6-4 in Turin. Zverev, who was facing Alcaraz for the first time since his heartbreaking five-set defeat in the Roland Garros championship match, produced an impressive one-hour, 57-minute performance to outclass his rival and guarantee he will end the year as No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

“He beat me too many times this year in important matches, so I’m happy that I got this one,” reflected Zverev after his triumph. “Obviously I feel like we have a pretty good rivalry with a great friendship as well, so it’s always nice to play against him… Just sharing the court with him. He’s a great guy and I’m looking forward to the next matches with him as well.”

With his victory, Zverev ensured a first-place finish in John Newcombe Group and set a semi-final clash against fifth seed Taylor Fritz, while it left Alcaraz on the brink of elimination from the prestigious season finale. There remains a scenario where the Spaniard could progress via percentage of games won, but only if Andrey Rublev defeats Casper Ruud in straight sets on Friday evening.

“It’s been three fantastic matches,” said Zverev. “I’m happy with being 3-0 in the group for sure, but I think now the semi-final is going to be very difficult. [Taylor] beat me the past few times at the Slams, so I’m looking forward to that match.”

Although Zverev did ultimately secure a straight-sets win, the margin of his victory against Alcaraz could have been greater. The German’s razor-sharp returning on the fast-paced Inalpi Arena court helped him carve out seven break points in the first set, but he was unable to convert any of them.

Those disappointments did not stop Zverev from staying focused in the tie-break, during which his accurate, powerful ballstriking off both wings proved key. Alcaraz produced back-to-back moments of magic from 2/5 down — a running forehand pass and an audacious lob winner — but was let down by a loose backhand on the following point and Zverev went on to clinch the set and seal his semi-final spot.

The second seed still needed to win the match to secure top spot in the group and he made the perfect start to the second set by rallying from 40/0 to break in the opening game. Alcaraz tried to rouse a comeback and earned his first break points of the match (and the first break points Zverev has faced this week) at 2-4, 15/40, but the German fended them off before going on to close out his win.

The two-time Nitto ATP Finals champion Zverev sent down nine aces and won 73 per cent (40/55) of points behind his first serve against Alcaraz, according to Infosys ATP Stats. He has not dropped serve in any of his past four matches, dating back to his Rolex Paris Masters final victory against Ugo Humbert.

Zverev has now earned a Tour-leading 69 wins in 2024, one more than World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and the most in a season since Andy Murray won 78 in 2016 (the year the Briton won the Nitto ATP Finals and finished as ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF). After defeating Alcaraz in the Nitto ATP Finals group stage for the second consecutive year, Zverev now leads the Spaniard 6-5 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series.