In a spectacular opening to his ATP Finals campaign, Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz fought back from a set down to defeat Italy's Lorenzo Musetti in a gripping three-set battle that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Early Setback for the Spanish Star
The match began with Musetti displaying fearless tennis on the big stage, breaking Alcaraz's serve early to take control of the opening set. The Italian underdog played with remarkable precision and flair, capitalising on some uncharacteristic errors from the Wimbledon champion to secure the first set 6-4.
Musetti's one-handed backhand proved particularly effective, painting lines and creating angles that stretched Alcaraz across the baseline. The home crowd in Turin roared their approval as their compatriot took the early advantage against one of the tournament favourites.
Alcaraz Mounts Characteristic Comeback
True to his champion's mentality, Alcaraz regrouped in the second set, elevating his intensity and cutting down on errors. The world number two began finding his range with his powerful forehand, putting Musetti under constant pressure and eventually breaking serve to level the match at one set apiece.
The transformation in Alcaraz's game was dramatic. His signature drop shots started working to perfection, and his explosive movement around the court prevented Musetti from settling into any rhythm. The second set concluded with Alcaraz winning 6-3, setting up a decisive final set.
Decisive Final Set Drama
The third set developed into a tense affair with both players holding serve through the opening games. The crucial breakthrough came in the seventh game when Alcaraz converted his third break point opportunity after a gruelling rally that showcased the very best of both players' defensive skills.
Despite fierce resistance from Musetti, who saved multiple match points in a dramatic final game, Alcaraz eventually closed out the victory 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 after two hours and twenty-four minutes of high-quality tennis. The final scoreline reflected the competitive nature of a match that could have swung either way until the very last point.
This victory marks an important start to Alcaraz's quest for his first ATP Finals title, earning crucial points in the Red Group round-robin stage. For Musetti, the performance demonstrated his capability to compete with the world's best despite ultimately falling short.
The ATP Finals in Turin continues to deliver spectacular tennis as the world's top eight players battle for one of the most prestigious titles in men's tennis. Alcaraz will look to build on this hard-fought victory in his upcoming group matches.
