In the first match of this year's ATP Finals, Carlos Alcaraz ousted Alex de Minaur 7-6, 6-2 in an hour and 41minutes. Thus, world no. made a winning start and earned valuable points in the year-end no. 1 battle with Jannik Sinner.
Carlos bested Alex for the fifth time in as many duels, playing valiant tennis and attacking. The Spaniard prevailed in the opener after over an hour before stepping into a higher gear in set number two to break the rival's resistance.
The six-time Major champion made the difference behind the second serve. He got broken two times while already in the lead and deliver four breaks, like in his previous matches against de Minaur.
Carlos made a strong start, breaking in the fourth game of the duel and generating three more break points at 4-1. Alex saved them, held and pulled the break back in the next one to return to the positive side.
They served well in the remaining games and introduced a tie break. The Aussie served well early on and clinched a mini-break in the fourth point for 3-1. Carlos erased the deficit in the sixth point before falling 5-3 behind.
With no room for errors, the Spaniard grabbed two mini-breaks in the decisive moments and rattled off four points for 7-5 and a massive boost. World no. 2 broke at love in the first game of the second set before getting broken in the next one.
Alcaraz maintained his composure and broke again in the third game for another advantage. He held at love for 3-1 and notched another return game a few minutes later to extend the lead and move closer to the finish line.
The younger player saved a break point in the sixth game and held for 5-1. He served for the win at 5-2 and held after a deuce to emerge at the top and add valuable 200 ATP points to his tally.
