Among the circle of respected Russian tennis talents, Andrei Olkhovsky — once ranked as high as sixth in doubles and a two-time ATP singles champion — spoke with socialbites.ca, voicing strong belief that Andrei Rublev can clinch the last two fixtures in their group stage. He also noted that the Spaniards Carlos Alcaraz and the German Alexander Zverev should not be counted as automatic favorites in those clashes.
Olkhovsky observed, with conviction, that Rublev has the capability to triumph over both rivals. He added that no player entering these matches should be viewed as the obvious favorite. In his view, neither Rublev nor his opponents possess a form advantage that would justify predicting a guaranteed win before the ball is struck. The absence of a clear edge on either side, he implied, makes these bouts highly unpredictable and intensely competitive for every participant on court.
In Turin, Rublev opened Group B by suffering a loss to fellow Russian Daniil Medvedev during the Year-End ATP Final. The scoreboard read 4:6, 2:6 in favor of Medvedev as the first-set momentum shifted away from Rublev. With that setback in the record, Rublev’s next test is a marquee matchup against Alcaraz in the second round, followed by a decisive encounter with Zverev in the third round. In a pulsating first-round display, Zverev snagged a win over the world’s number two Spaniard with a scoreline of 6:7 (3), 6:3, 6:4. It’s worth noting that Rublev’s best finish at the Year-End Final to date came last season when he advanced to the tournament’s semi-finals, marking a notable career highlight. This sequence of results sets the stage for a compelling trio of matches that will test Rublev’s resilience and tactical adaptability on the indoor courts of Turin, with every point carrying significant implications for the standings in Group B.
In discussing future challenges, observers also considered potential matchups where Djokovic might encounter difficulties, highlighting the broader competitive landscape within the event. The dynamic between Rublev, Alcaraz, and Zverev remains a focal point as the group progresses, and the coming rounds are expected to reveal more about each contender’s form under pressure and their capacity to translate potential into results on the big stage.