Zverev wins 67th of the season to kick off Finals

Alexander Zverev defeated Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-4 on Monday to increase his leading wins total on the Tour as he notched a win in his opening group match at the ATP Finals.

The German world No. 2 earned his 67th match win of the season as he dispatched Rublev in  73 minutes with a break per set, advancing on his first match point.

Zverev nudged ahead of top-ranked Jannik Sinner in the wins total, with the Italian standing on 66 with a match to play on Tuesday.

Zverev, a two-time year-end champion, now leads Rublev 7-3 in their career series.

“It was a very solid match, a good way to start the tournament,” the winner said. “Andrey – like everyone else here – is an incredible player.

“I’m happy to win the match and I’m looking forward to the next two (group matches this week before the weekend knockout stage).”

Zverev has had a standout season after a serious knee injury in spring of 2023 which saw him wheeled off the court in a chair. He came to Turin with the Paris Bercy title in hand.

“I wasn’t sure I’d ever be  back to this level,” he said. “But I still want to improve a few things.”

Rublev has enjoyed little success at the season wrapup, losing his fifth straight match as he competes for a fifth time.