Alcaraz and Zverev Launch Strong in Turin

In the echoing Pala Alpitour, where the low hum of indoor hard courts sets a brisk tempo, Day 1 of the 2025 Nitto ATP Finals unfolded with the weight of a season's culmination. Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, both carrying the scars of a grueling year, channeled that pressure into commanding performances on Sunday. Their wins not only notched vital points in the round-robin groups but also hinted at the mental reset needed to chase year-end glory amid a field of relentless contenders.

Alcaraz unlocks his full range

Alcaraz faced Alex de Minaur in the Jimmy Connors Group, a matchup where the Spaniard's explosive game clashed against the Australian's scrambling defense. He navigated a tense first set, saving set points in the tiebreak before dominating the second, securing a 7-6(5), 6-2 victory that pushed his head-to-head lead to 5-0. Inside-out forehands and timely net approaches dismantled de Minaur's crosscourt backhands, while kick serves to the deuce side held firm against the indoor pace.

De Minaur's low slices tested Alcaraz's footwork, forcing extended rallies that echoed their grass-court battles, but the world No. 1's one–two combinations wore down his foe's resolve. This triumph, detailed in Alcaraz hits his range vs. De Minaur, kicks off Turin bid, marked his first opening-round win here, lifting the frustration of past slow starts.

That sentiment, captured in Alcaraz breaks spell in Turin: 'I’ve finally started with a win', underscored the emotional pivot, as the crowd's cheers amplified his growing confidence on a surface that rewards his aggressive instincts.

Zverev rediscovers his edge

In the Bjorn Borg Group, the two-time champion steadied against Ben Shelton's powerful lefty serves, blending depth with variety to claim a 6-3, 7-6(6) win. Deep returns neutralized Shelton's inside-in forehands, while down-the-line passes exploited any positioning lapses in the American's aggressive rushes. The German's underspin backhands slowed the tempo early, setting up a tiebreak where experience prevailed on his first match point.

Shelton's net approaches disrupted the flow at times, but Zverev's baseline precision limited angles and extended points, turning the indoor speed to his advantage. As explored in Zverev finds spring in his Turin step, sees off Shelton, this result eases the pressure from a season of interruptions, repositioning him strongly in a competitive group.

Doubles fuel home excitement

While singles commanded attention, the Peter Fleming Group saw Italy's Bolelli/Vavassori raise the roof with opening win in Turin!, as Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori upset top seeds Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool 7-5, 6-3. Synchronized volleys and crosscourt lobs countered the British pair's serve-and-volley tactics, injecting electric energy from the home crowd into the opener. In the other match, Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos outlasted Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz 6-4, 4-6, 10-6, their poaching adjustments shining in the super-tiebreak after a mid-match wobble.

These doubles results add unpredictability, highlighting how the fast court amplifies return aggression and net play. For Alcaraz and Zverev, the singles foundations now pave the way for tougher tests ahead, where sustained adaptability could propel them toward semifinals and transform seasonal strains into triumphant momentum.