Daniil Medvedev swept past Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-2 at their ATP Finals clash in the Red Group, while Alexander Zverev overcame world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-4 on Monday.

Russian friends Medvedev and Rublev were destined for another epic showdown after meeting in the Dubai Open final and US Open quarter-finals, with world number three Medvedev winning both matches.

However, Rublev, ranked fifth in the world, began to despair after losing the first set and failing to put up much of a fight in the second.

“I played great before the tournament and I managed to put it in the court now. I felt really good and was able to get the upper hand fast,” said Medvedev of his winning start.

“I like to play aggressive on my serve, but Rublev plays in such a style that he doesn’t
let me (have) any other option because I don’t have the power of Alcaraz or (Stefanos) Tsitsipas on my forehand,” he added.

Earlier on Monday, Zverev came from a set down to beat a sluggish Alcaraz after
two hours and 32 minutes in their opener.

“My serve helped me a lot. Saving the breakpoint in the first game of the second set helped me,” Zverev said.

“You don’t want to go down a set and a break against the world number two, so I’m happy,”

The seventh-ranked German is making his sixth appearance at the event, having won the title in Turin in 2021 and London in 2018.

Tsitsipas injured

Stefanos Tsitsipas retired after just three games of his Green Group clash against Holger Rune on Tuesday, handing the Danish debutant his first victory in the event.

Greek world No.6 Tsitsipas looked uncomfortable as he trailed 1-2 and after consulting with a doctor at the changeover he decided that he could not continue.

Tsitsipas, who lost in straight sets to Jannik Sinner in his opening match on Sunday, appeared to be troubled by a back problem and left the court to a few jeers from the large crowd inside the Pala Alpitour.

Reuters