Carlos Alcaraz begins "real big and important week" at ATP Finals with round-robin win over Alex de Minaur

The Nitto ATP Finals represent a "real big and important week" for Carlos Alcaraz with both a first year-end title and a second year-end No. 1 finish on the line.

He took the first step towards achieving both with a 7-6(5), 6-2 win over Alex de Minaur on Sunday in the first round-robin match of the Jimmy Connors Group.

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The Spaniard holds the upper hand against Jannik Sinner in the hopes of securing the year-end No. 1 position for the first time since 2022. According to the ATP, he must reach the final with at least one round-robin win or sweep his round-robin matches.

"I think doing good in this tournament, winning matches here, it comes together with ending the year as No. 1," Alcaraz said ahead of his third year-end championships appearance. "It's kind of the same motivation. They stick together."

Winning his opening group stage match for the first time may go a long way in the effort.

Alcaraz edged a first set where both men had leads in more than an hour, on the way to extending his head-to-head record against de Minaur to 5-0. Alcaraz first led 4-1, 40-0 in less than 30 minutes, but ultimately won four straight points from 5-3 down in the eventual tiebreak to quell de Minaur's challenge.

After the two players traded breaks of serve to start set two, four straight games won by Alcaraz gave him a lead he never relinquished.

"I'm just really, really happy with the level that I play today. First match is never easy. After the match, I realize that this one was my first win in the round-robin the first day. I'm really happy about it," Alcaraz said afterwards. "Obviously Alex I think in this surface is really dangerous with his speed, his shots, his style. So just really happy to stay there playing good shots, good points, and getting the win in two sets."

Read more: 2025 ATP Finals preview: Will Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner finish year-end No. 1?

Alcaraz had previously lost to Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud in his opener at his first two ATP Finals appearances. He has matches against Taylor Fritz and Lorenzo Musetti still awaiting him in the group stage.