Carlos Alcaraz boosts ATP Finals hopes with gutsy win over Rublev despite illness

The world No 3 defeated Andrey Rublev 6-3, 7-6(8) in his second group stage match in Turin after losing his opener to Casper Ruud.

Alcaraz, who has been struggling with illness since before he arrived at the tournament, will face second seed Alexander Zverev in his third and final round robin contest on Friday.

The 21-year-old Spaniard revealed he is trying to block out his physical state as he looked ahead to his showdown with Zverev.

"I could be better, healthier," he said beating Rublev. "I'm just trying to step on the court and play good tennis, try not to think about my issues right now.

"I've been struggling the last week and that's going to be the case over the next day too, for sure.

"Zverev is playing great tennis. He is one of the toughest players in the world right now, that's for sure.

"I will try to play good tennis and enjoy the same way I did today. Then let's see."

Alcaraz's win against world No 8 Rublev improved his record against top 10 players this year to an excellent 12-4, while he has won nine of the last 11.

After being told about this statistic, Alcaraz was asked what makes him so successful against elite opposition.

"(On his 12-4 record vs. top 10) That's good to know for my confidence to go up a little bit (smiling)," the four-time Grand Slam winner said in his press conference.

"Well, just focus on playing a good tennis, deliver a good tennis. Obviously playing against the top players, you think to yourself that you have to play at your best tennis. If not, you are going to lose against them. That help a lot.

"Before that matches, before matches against top players, realise what kind of game, what kind of shots you are going to play or you're going to hit. I think that's it.

"In tennis, really important the mental game, the way you talk to yourself before the matches. When I'm going to play against a top player, I'm going to repeat myself that I'm better, I'm going to play my best, my 100% just to beat them."

On his performance, Alcaraz said: "Well, today was a pretty good match. I felt great on the court. Well, great - I try to feel great.

"Yeah, he played a really good tennis. Obviously Rublev is a really tough player, aggressive one. I tried to play a really good tennis, tried to dominate the match as much as I can, try not run as much as I can. I think today I did that pretty good work."

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