Turin (Italy): A stunning performance from world number 2 Carlos Alcaraz earned the Spaniard a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Russian Daniil Medvedev to secure his place in the last four of the ATP Finals on Friday .
The 20-year-old erased any doubts about his form with a remarkably precise performance in his final Red Group match to join Medvedev in the year-end semi-finals.
Third-seeded Medvedev, who had already qualified, also produced stunning tennis but Alcaraz surged back to snatch decisive breaks of serve in each set.
Despite losing his opening match to Germany’s Alexander Zverev, Alcaraz tops the red group and will face green group runner-up Novak Djokovic in a mouth-watering semi-final.
The other semi-final will pit Medvedev against local favourite Jannik Sinner.
Medvedev was the most dangerous player in the early exchanges and failed to convert break points in the fourth game.
But Alcaraz, making his tournament debut, found another gear at 3-3 playing four terrific points to break at love.
He then repeated the feat at 4-4 in the second set, thanks to a few errors from Medvedev that allowed him to take the break. He then won in resounding fashion.
“I had to stay strong mentally, I was having a little trouble serving and his return is incredible,” Alcaraz said on court. “I stayed calm and strong.”
Alcaraz and world number one Djokovic will meet for the first time since his defeat to the Serb in the Cincinnati final.
