Alcaraz 1-6, 4-2 Ruud* (*denotes server) Alcaraz is rising to the challenge here. His footwork is a lot better and the crispness of his shots is there. A long rally at 15-15 goes his way after he hits a crosscourt forehand. But after playing such a good point, he rushes a dropshot. That is now 10 backhand unforced errors compared to Ruud’s one.

He goes back to the forehand on the next point though and wins that before taking the break point with a low shot that Ruud was never going to get to.

*Alcaraz 1-6, 3-2 Ruud (*denotes server) Ruud works hard to stay in the first rally but Alcaraz’s forehand pushes him to the brink around every which way on the court. The Spaniard hits an ace to make it 40-0 and Ruud can’t hit the crucial final return. Only the one point dropped for Alcaraz’s service game in this set.

Alcaraz 1-6, 2-2 Ruud* (*denotes server) A few more Ruud aces take him up to 40-15 and it looks like another one will see out the game in quick fashion but somehow Alcaraz returns the corner serve and it hits the line just under Ruud’s nose. It only delays the inevitable though and Ruud sees it out.

*Alcaraz 1-6, 2-1 Ruud (*denotes server) Better from Alcaraz. His serves are not as strong as the first game of this set but he goes back to the basics, with a fantastic crosscourt volley. He makes it 2-1 but needs to focus on Ruud’s service games if he wants to make up for that first set.

Alcaraz 1-6, 1-1 Ruud* (*denotes server) Alcaraz misses a fairly routine forehand, unusual for him to go down 0-30 and then hits a backhand out to make it 0-40. He sees it out with shot from close to the net, looking very confident as he does so.

*Alcaraz 1-6, 1-0 Ruud (*denotes server) Alcaraz is ready to go immediately and goes up 40-0 on his serve, targetting the far corner. Four first serves and game over.

Ruud wins the first set 6-1 against Alcaraz

*Alcaraz 1-5 Ruud (*denotes server) The Spaniard nets another drop shot to go down early on but ties it up 15-15 right away. But Ruud is hitting very fast returns and somehow the Norwegian is rushing the world No 3. This is very unexpected. He hits two more outs and frustratingly whacks away the spare ball. Ruud to now serve for the set.

Alcaraz 1-4 Ruud* (*denotes server) Alcaraz tries to take the second serve return early but Ruud is pushing, serving faster than he usually does. He goes up 30-15 but he then nets an easy shot, his fourth unforced error of the match, and looks at his team in frustration. He then uncharacteristically misses a forehand but does well to keep the ball in play on the next point. Alcaraz misses a routine drop shot and after a few of deuces with the two swapping deuces Ruud finally sees it out. That was a long game, just over 10 mins, but a huge one for the Norwegian. He is here to play!

*Alcaraz 1-3 Ruud (*denotes server) Massive return from Ruud to make it 30-0. It’s a strong serve and he’s falling backwards trying to get to it, but he hits the a spinny shot leaving Alcaraz no chance. The world No 7 hits a forehand that looks out but the electronic line calls shows it is in. Alcaraz is shaken and Ruud breaks!

Alcaraz 1-2 Ruud* (*denotes server) Beautiful touch from Alcaraz to make it 15-15. Ruud tries to get to the short drop shot but hits it wide but his next serve is a bullet that Alcaraz wildly mishits. An ace takes the Norwegian up 40-30 and he wins the game after Alcaraz hits the next return out.

*Alcaraz 1-1 Ruud (*denotes server) Ruud returns Alcaraz’s first serve well out and then nets the next. The Spaniard makes it 40-0 after a short rally, his forehand unleashing all over the court to make Ruud run. And from there it is smooth sailing.

Alcaraz 0-1 Ruud* (*denotes server) Ruud gets the first points on the board after Alcaraz hits one long but the Spaniard then goes 30-15 up with two powerful backhands. Ruud then nets a forehand but makes up for it with an ace. He holds off another break point to take it to deuce and the two swap advantages for a while but it is Ruud who draws first blood after the Spaniard nets a drop shot.

One of the reasons Ruud is so good on clay is because he has a bit more time to set up his forehand. It is a lot more rushed on the hardcourts but he did well to move Alcaraz around in the first game.

Yesterday, Sinner got off to a winning start and Medvedev had a bit of a tantrum. Read our report below.

And we’re about to start today’s play. Ruud won the toss and elected to serve.

Alcaraz is making just his second appearance at the ATP Finals after reaching the semis last year. He lost his opening match Alexander Zverev and told the ATP website that he is hoping to make a fast start this year.

Last year was a difficult end of the year for me. I could not play at my best. The last two matches here were pretty good matches for me but the previous two, three tournaments I didn’t play at my best, so I realised I had to change a little bit at this time of the year, which I did this year.

I come here a little bit different. I approach this tournament a little differently, knowing there are things I have to change if I am to have a good result here and go far. Last year I didn’t start well from the first matches. I will try to play the same level and will try to play good tennis. I am coming here with a lot of motivation.

The players are out on the court and now warming up. Huge cheers for Alcaraz as he walks in, as expected. Ruud will be the underdog in this match and playing against the crowd.

This pair’s head-to-head record does not bode well for Ruud, with Alcaraz winning all four of their matches. Their last meeting was in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Beijing Open on hard court which the Spaniard won 6-4, 6-2.

For those new to tennis, the ATP Finals is the biggest men’s tennis event after the four grand slams and the format is quite different to other events.

The top eight players are separated into two groups of four where they each play three round-robin matches. After the group stage, the top two face off in the semi-finals and a final to determine the winner.

Preamble