By Richard Pagliaro Sunday, November 9, 2025
Photo credit: Marco Bertorello/AFP/Getty
Arriving in Turin after the crushing defeat in Paris, Carlos Alcaraz Facing the decider, prospects are bleak.
After a short break, Alcaraz launched a laser show to light up his first game in Turin.
Alcaraz burns winner, then looks back Alex de Minaur Today, he won 7-6(5), 6-2 in the first match of the ATP Finals.
The second-seeded Spaniard overcame a sloppy first set to hit 11 backhand winners with a ferocious finish. Alcaraz hit 32 winners, 20 more than the Demons, and saved four of seven break points as De Minaur held a two-point lead at 5-4 in the tiebreak.
“I served well and hit the ball well, 4-1 40, but I couldn’t make it, which was important in the first set,” Alcaraz told Prakash Amritraj on Tennis Channel. “After that, I struggled a little bit. I think his level and game improved as well and I think that’s normal. He’s always trying to find a solution.
“In the tiebreak, I tried to stay mentally strong and stay strong to create chances and opportunities. I’m really happy that I did that. Then in the second set, I brought out all my nerves. I tried to enjoy it more and play my style, and I’m really happy that I was able to do that.”
Go to Flyer✈️
No. 1 in the world @carlosalcaraz 2025 defeated Alex de Minaur 7-6 6-2 #NittoATP Finals Opening remarks 👊 pic.twitter.com/Z1xHzRWTPI
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 9, 2025
The win kicks off Alcaraz’s bid to overtake defending Turin champion Janik Sinner as the year-end world number one and makes him the early front-runner in the Jimmy Connors Group round robin.
“I think the biggest thing for me coming out here at the end of the year is feeling good physically, feeling healthy, or as healthy as possible,” Alcaraz said. “I’m trying to focus on what I want to improve on going into this match. I’ve done a very important physical preparation and I’ve practiced well. My focus is on being as comfortable as possible on the indoor court and playing aggressive and good tennis here.”
In the sixth game, Alcaraz held three break points and only scored one point after a double break to lead 5-1. De Minaur then saved his first serve in time, resolving all three break points and chasing the score to 2-4.
This energetic stance, coupled with Alcaraz’s routine short forehand, helped the Australian break serve for the first time and regain serve at 3-4.
The seventh-seeded Australian completely flipped the script on the first set. De Minaur played his second ace of the match, saving the match with love and forcing a decider.
An impatient Alcaraz over-hit the ball at times, while De Minaur exploited the Spaniard’s impulsive instincts. De Minaur hit a short forehand to break serve, followed by a backhand from Alcaraz to take a 5-3 lead in the decider.
Serving at 5-4, De Minaur failed to score a single serve. Alcaraz hit a nice leaping smash to tie the game. Alcaraz got set point when the Australian scored on a forehand. De Minaur ended Alcaraz’s tense 62 minutes with a long forehand.
The powerful Alcaraz took a three break point lead in the second set. In the 68th minute, Alcaraz hit the ball with both hands and scored a backhand goal, making the score 1-0.
The Australian’s serve came under attack again in the third game, although De Minaur regained the break after Alcaraz tripped up with a two-hander.
After coming on the court, Alcaraz once again hit the ball with both hands from the baseline, breaking serve for the second consecutive time and leading 2-1 in the second set.
This time, Alcaraz easily broke serve and led 3-1.
Although De Minaur’s anticipation and quick first step are two of the weapons that have helped him lead the ATP Tour on hard courts this year, Alcaraz broke serve again with a lethal straight serve.
Alcaraz hit two backhand winners from the baseline – Alcaraz had nine backhand winners at the time – and the Spaniard earned another break point.
Alcaraz, in the air, hit a rising forehand from the baseline to break serve for the third time in a row and take a 4-1 lead.
Alcaraz won the second match point with a crackling forehand. The Spaniard came on and ended the 100-minute match with a clean backhand crosscourt.
