Carlos Alcaraz v Andrey Rublev: ATP Finals tennis – live

Second set: Rublev* 5-6, 3-6 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)

Gorgeous tennis from both players, the best of which is an Alcaraz drop shot from nearly the base line to go 40-0 up. A pretty convincing hold. Can Rublev continue his run of brilliant service games to bring us to the first tie-break of the tournament?

Second set: Rublev 5-5, 3-6 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)

Scoreboard pressure? Ha! Alcaraz is the first to falter, hitting long on the first point and Rublev goes on to his third love-hold in succession. Not all your way Carlos.

Second set: Rublev* 4-5, 3-6 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)

Anything you can do… Alcaraz nearly returns the favour, just spoiling his repertoire with his second double fault of the match. Soon wraps things up though with an exhibition of touch-perfect tennis. Rublev must now keep his nerve to serve to stay in the match.

Second set: Rublev 4-4, 3-6 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)

Some banging techno (!) in the mini break as Rublev gets new balls to serve with. He duly scythes through the game to win his second service game on the bounce to love.

Second set: Rublev* 3-4, 3-6 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)

A drop-shot-passing shot dummy by Alcaraz for the first point, but a killer return evens things up at 15-15. Rublev is playing good tennis but Alcaraz has hit scintillating: a swinging ace wide followed by one straight down the middle wins the game.

Second set: Rublev 3-3, 3-6 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)

A first love-hold of the match for Rublev, whose only chance is to run Alcaraz ragged.

Second set: Rublev* 2-3, 3-6 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)

A badly-timed delivery man means I only see the last point as Rublev flops a forehand into the net. [But apparently Rublev was 0-30 up and let it slip away]

Second set: Rublev 2-2, 3-6 Alcaraz *(*denotes next server)

A thrilling game. Rublev takes a sensational opening rally and the tennis continues at that level. Alcaraz pulls back to 30-40 with a peachy backhand and draws level to win another topnotch rally with a pitch perfect forehand. He puts his hand to his ear to acknowledge the crowd.. He can’t quite make a diving forehand and Rublev goes on to win another tight service game and stay in the match.

Second set: Rublev* 1-2, 3-6 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)

Alcaraz has fine-tuned the robot settings now. Slice, cross court forehand, dinky drop shot. Rublev flaps his long arms around like a frustrated octopus.

Second set: Rublev 1-1, 3-6 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)

Rublev fights back from 30-30 with an ace. Throws in another at deuce and closes out the game, and ends the sequence, with a winning forehand.

Second set: Rublev* 0-1, 3-6 Alcaraz(*denotes next server)

An Alcaraz three-ace trick to start the set. He has now won 15 of the last 19 points.

Henman’s verdict on the first set: “Alcaraz’s movement has been good, he looks as if he’s trying to keep the points a little bit shorter and has benefited from some loose shots from Rublev.”

Alcaraz wins the first set 6-3!

First set: Rublev* 3-5 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)

From 0-30 down on his serve, Alcaraz pulls back with a forehand that brings the characteristic muscle squeeze celebration. A 217km serve levels things up. Rublev hits long and kicks the air in frustration as the chance of an immediate break back fades away. He must serve to stay in the set.

First set: Rublev 3-4 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)

A high-stakes rally sends the heavy breathing Alcaraz from corner to corner, but a rogue shot, and double fault and Rublev has suddenly fallen back to deuce on his serve. Alcaraz takes advantage and has the first break of serve in his pocket.

First set: Rublev* 3-3 Alcaraz (*denotes next server) A screaming cross court forehand to start the game, a leaping fizzer down the line to go ahead, a clever approach to the net to take his service game to love.

First set: Rublev 3-2 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)

The full crowd roars as Alcaraz feathers a drop shot to bring him the first break points of the game. Rublev saves one, wrong footing his opponent, and the next as Alcaraz nets a backhand. A back-peddling smash and a big serve ensures Rublev holds.

First set: Rublev* 2-2 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)

Alcaraz flies through the first three points, Rublev pulls back one but Alcaraz swiftly squashes any hope of a comeback. Rublxv works him through a rally though – a good tactic against a man not in top health.

First set: Rublev 2-1 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)

Lots of corner to corner hitting, neatly inside the lines. Alcaraz is visibly puffing after (winning) a testing rally. Rublev fluffs a backhand to let him back in the game, then Alcaraz a forehand to return the favour.

First set: Rublev* 1-1 Alcaraz (*denotes next server)

Alcaraz, in lavender shorts and lavender and turquoise T-shirt, starts with an ace. Rublev inches in front with an inside out whippy forehand. We have our first deuce after Alcraraz just overhits a backhand to finish a cracking rally, but he takes the game.

First set: Rublev 1-0 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)

Rublev is eager to get going, bouncing around in his trainers waiting for Alcaraz, and whistles through the opening game to 15 before chomping on a banana.

Coin toss: Rublev who elects to serve

Ws spot Rublev now in the tunnel, working through a practice shot with his physio, all messy mop of red hair.

Head to heads

It hasn’t been a bad year for Alcaraz. He’s collected the French Open and Wimbledon titles, Indian Wells, Beijing, plus reaching (if losing) the Olympic final in Paris. He has, though, only pocketed one title since Wimbledon in mid July.

And there is Alcaraz himself, rolling around on a mat in headphones, flicking through a few downward dogs in a pair of lavender shorts.

News from the Ilie Natase group: Sinner sits on top, followed by Fritz, Medvedev and de Minaur – with all four still in contention.

Alcaraz update: he had an easy-going warm-up this morning, but is – apparently – raring to go.

Just getting some glorious pictures of Turin on a crisp winter’s day, the Po flowing with feeling. On screen, Tim Henman, Laura Robson and Gigi Salmon are raving about the facilities.

Thought Jake Paul turning to boxing was random? How about a pro-footballer dedicating himself to tennis. A lovely piece by Tumaini Carayol on Diego Forlán, formerly of Man United, Villarreal, Atlético Madrid and Inter.

Already this morning, the men’s doubles favourites Mate Pavic and Marcelo Arevalo have clocked up a relatively straightforward win against Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden: 7-5, 6-3.

While we wait, you were probably wondering who had the best hair in men’s tennis?

Preamble