Norwegian Surprise: Ruud Upsets Alcaraz at ATP Finals

Carlos Alcaraz faced a surprising 6-1 7-5 defeat to Casper Ruud in the ATP Finals. Alcaraz, despite a positive start in the second set, failed to maintain momentum. Ruud capitalized on Alcaraz's errors to secure a win, affecting Alcaraz's chances for the year-end title.

In an unexpected turn of events at the ATP Finals, Carlos Alcaraz experienced a 6-1 7-5 defeat against Norway's Casper Ruud. This loss in his opening match impacted Alcaraz's ambitions to clinch his first year-end title.

Despite leading 5-2 in the second set, Alcaraz could not sustain his advantage, ultimately falling short. Ruud, seizing the opportunity, gained strength as Alcaraz struggled with errors, notably from his usually powerful forehand.

Alcaraz's performance has been inconsistent post-Wimbledon, further hindered by a lingering cold, which Ruud tactically leveraged. Ruud's win places him in a favorable position, while Alcaraz now faces a challenging path in the round-robin format.

(With inputs from agencies.)