The Nitto ATP Finals saw an electric upset as Casper Ruud stunned World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz with a decisive 6-1, 7-5 victory. In just 86 minutes, Ruud executed a masterclass of consistency and grit at Turin’s Inalpi Arena, securing his first-ever head-to-head win over Alcaraz. The Norwegian delivered one of his most impactful performances of the year, leaving the ATP world buzzing with this significant opening-round shocker.
This marks a sweet return to form for Ruud, who advanced to the ATP Finals championship match last year. Alcaraz, who’s had an impressive 2024 season with titles at both Wimbledon and the French Open, entered Turin as a clear favorite. But from the outset, Ruud showed he was there to make a statement, capitalizing on Alcaraz’s uncharacteristic inconsistency. The Norwegian reeled off five consecutive games to clinch the first set 6-1, dominating with clean strokes and a rock-solid mentality.
“It’s only one match, but it’s definitely one of the best wins of the season for me,” Ruud said post-match. “Carlos is a phenomenal player, and today I just took advantage of my chances.”
Ruud’s strategy seemed laser-focused on extending rallies and forcing Alcaraz into longer exchanges—a tactic that paid off as Alcaraz struggled with both physical and mental errors. Alcaraz, reportedly fighting off a cold, appeared far from his usual explosive form, racking up 15 unforced errors in the first set alone. Despite managing a 5-2 lead in the second set, Alcaraz’s game unraveled once more, as Ruud roared back with five straight games to claim the set and the match.
With this win, Ruud secures his first Top 3 victory on hard courts, a milestone that could redefine his momentum for the remainder of the tournament. Reflecting on the victory, Ruud shared that it wasn’t easy to focus knowing his opponent wasn’t at full strength. “It can be tricky when you see someone not at 100 percent,” Ruud noted, mentioning that he had noticed Alcaraz sniffling before the match. “I tried to stay in my own world, focus on my game, and luckily got off to a great start. Even in the second set, I just reminded myself to stay calm and play the best tennis I could.”
Despite a rough start to his ATP Finals journey, Alcaraz still has a chance to turn things around as he aims for a semi-final berth. He’ll need to reset quickly if he hopes to join the ranks of past champions and become the first Spaniard to lift the trophy since Alex Corretja in 1998. His next challenge will be a must-win match as he faces either Alexander Zverev or Andrey Rublev, and he’ll need to raise his level to keep his title hopes alive.
Ruud, meanwhile, looks to build on his impressive start, setting his sights on a second win in the John Newcombe Group. His confidence bolstered, Ruud is now a player to watch as the ATP Finals continue, proving once again that he thrives as an underdog on tennis’s biggest stage.
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