Ankle nightmare not enough to thwart Zverev upset

Alexander Zverev shook off a scary late-match left ankle roll and buried memories of a 2022 injury horror show to dump Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-4 in Monday group play at the ATP Finals.

The German would have vivid recollection of the ankle injury he suffered at Roland Garros last season which sent him off court in a wheelchair and off the Tour for half a season .

“I didn’t twist my ankle. I kind of slipped. There was a pain for a while and I don’t think any damage has been done,” the No. 7 said..

“I hope not and we will see when it settles down. It is nothing comparable to Paris.”

Alcaraz, who lost slim chances to gain the year-end No. 1 ranking – he had to win all matches this week in straight sets – was unable to rebound after lifting the opening set.

Zverev, with year-end titles in 2018 in London and two years ago in the inaugural Turin edition. turned the momentum around to emerge victorious in two and a half hours.

“My serve helped me a lot. Saving the break point in the first game of the second set helped me,” the winner said. .

“You don’t want to go down a set and a break against the World No. 2, so I am happy.”

Alcaraz owns six trophies this season, but has not won a title since Wimbledon.

“It was a really difficult one,” the Spaniard said. “It was close and I couldn’t take the chances that I had. 

“This guy has one of the biggest serves on the tour.

“I had a few break points that I couldn’t take – that was the key of the match.”