Ailing Alcaraz rises to the occasion for first Turin win

It was mind over matter for Carlos Alcatraz on Wednesday at the ATP Finals as the ailing Spaniard put his physical niggles aside to secure a 6-3, 7-6 (8), win over Andrey Rublev.

The victory in just over 90 minutes keeps the world No. 3 in the chase for a spot in the weekend’ knockout stage at the eight-man season-ender in Turin.

Alcaraz played with a pink breathing strip across the bridge of his nose after suffering physically this week and barely registering in Monday’s opening group loss to Casper Ruud.

Alcaraz dealt Rublev a sixth consecutive straight-set defeat at the season wrapup; none of the 14 matches played so far in singles and doubles have gone to three sets.

Alcaraz said he chose to ignore his compromised physical condition, mainly breathing problems.

When you step onto court you have to forget everything except hitting good shots,” he said. “I had good tactics today, I surprised myself.”

The Spaniard broke twice to claim the opening set and converted on his second match point of the second-set tiebreaker to escape with the win.

He had 10 aces among 33 winners, striking 26 unforced errors. 

Alcaraz said he felt he owed fans something after his dismal performance of 48 hours earlier.

“I’ve been struggling all week with my health but I was Ok to play today. I really concentrated on trying to play at a high level and make the crowd happy.

Alcaraz added: “I didn’t entertain them much in my first match (against Ruud)  so I tried to do that today.

“I had to focus on my game and forget that I was sick.”