Carlos Alcaraz kept alive his hopes of a maiden ATP Finals title with a straight-sets victory over Andrey Rublev on Wednesday in Turin.
Alcaraz sparked concerns over his fitness when he pulled out of practice on Tuesday due to an ongoing illness.
The two-time Wimbledon champion had struggled in defeat to Casper Ruud on Monday, but rallied to get the better of Rublev by a 6-3 7-6 (10-8) score.
⭐️ CARLOS. ALCARAZ. ⭐️#NittoATPFinals | @carlosalcaraz pic.twitter.com/Yhr650qF8z
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 13, 2024
"I surprised myself," Alcaraz said on the tournament's official website. "The way that I played today from the baseline, with my serve. I was really calm.
"I just tried to be focused on my game and what I had to do and forget about that I’m not feeling well and that I’m sick.
"Once you step on the court, you have to forget everything, your struggles outside the court and you try to put your focus on hitting a good forehand, a good backhand, and making good tactics against the opponent.
"I thought I did that pretty well and surprised myself."
After an even start, Alcaraz managed to break eighth seed Rublev twice to clinch the first set.
The second stayed on serve, but Alcaraz, who had a pink stripe on his nose to aid his breathing, held his nerve to save two set points before he claimed victory in 96 minutes.
World number three Alcaraz will take on Alexander Zverev on Thursday knowing realistically only a victory will send him through to the semi-final stage.
Zverev is all-but guaranteed a place in the last four after he beat sixth seed Ruud 7-6 (7-3) 6-3.
A tight first set went the way of Zverev, who sent down a 144mph ace to clinch the opener on a tie-break.
With the momentum on his side, new world number two Zverev managed to break in the eighth game to follow up his victory over Rublev and sit top of John Newcombe group.
Well, this was FUN rally 🎭
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 13, 2024
Box office from @AlexZverev & @CasperRuud98 🎬#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/Go7jkCcNoG
