Alcaraz, looking to become the youngest ATP Finals champion since Pete Sampras in 1991, won easily 7-5 6-2 to revive his Red Group hopes after starting with a loss to Zverev. Zverev and Alcaraz started the group’s final round at 1-1. Zverev will next face Russian Andrey Rublev. “I have never won a second round match in this competition and I have won the tournament twice… that obviously gives me hope,” Zverev told reporters. “On Friday, I will be the first fan of Daniil Medvedev on this planet, for once” he added with a smile. “We will see how it goes. It’s a little out of my reach… I have to be focused and ready… ready to beat Andrey.” Medvedev said he understood why Zverev wanted him to win, but it wouldn’t be easy against two-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz. “It’s normal . I would be the same.” Medvedev said. “I will do my best to play against Carlos. It’s not easy. But here it’s a fast court, so it can be interesting. As soon as you relax and you think ‘maybe this match will be easier’, you can lose all the rhythm. That’s how tennis works.”

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