Carlos Alcaraz v Alexander Zverez – Day 2 result as two-time champion Zverev hits back to down Wimbledon champion Alcaraz at the 2023 Nitto ATP Finals

Boom! Zverev lands another big serve down the T and secures an impressive comeback win over World No.2 Alcaraz.

The two-time champion overcame the Spaniard and a late ankle roll to prevail in two hours and 31 minutes.

Alcaraz piles on the pressure with a crosscourt pass to follow up a sumptuous drop shot.

Zverev somehow digs out a backhand pass on the run to avoid 0-30 but then comes up with a double fault.

A big serve, big crosscourt backhand sees the German make 30-30 but he pings an awkward forehand wide to cough up break point.

A timely ace wipes it out before a big serve snares match point…

Alcaraz marauds to a clean hold to pose the serve-out question. Both players knew it was going to be all about the upcoming game. Given Zverev’s movement, you sense he has to serve it out here or Alcaraz will be a big favourite to come out on top in the final chapter of the contest.

Zverev has definitely let up in terms of the speed of his groundstrokes and his overall movement.

A smart defensive lob somehow helps him turn around a point he looked dead and buried in and he slams down a smash to take charge.

Alcaraz produces a sizzling crosscourt forehand pass to eat into a 40-15 deficit before uploading the power to finish with a bullet forehand down the line.

Sascha looks to be on the backfoot but produces a sublime forehand pass up the line to seize control again at deuce before an ace down the T nudges the finish line tantalisingly close.

Zverev is clearly taking no chances with that ankle as he proves to be rather passive throughout a rapid clean hold from Carlitos.

Will the German just look to fire down the big serves and try to conjure up two more holds to see himself through here? It’s perhaps surprising he hasn’t asked for the trainer just to be completely sure.

Zverev leans on the big serve to notch up some welcome cheap points and also glides into the net to produce a deft, angled volley.

The ankle seems to be holding up and he survives the injury scare without suffering any drama on the scoreboard to consolidate with the minimum of fuss.

Zverev tracks down a ball to his forehand wing and falls on his ankle.

It's a horrible moment of deja vu similar to the tumble he took at the French Open a few years back when he was ruled out for a lengthy period.

This time he gingerly gets to his feet and gives Alcaraz a thumbs up.

He's in a bit of pain though and it's one to keep an eye on.

The pressure is all on the Alcaraz serve – and this time it tells.

The Spaniard plays catch up throughout the game and faces break point again when a blockbusting forehand approach from Zverev is too hot to keep on the island.

The German then arcs an awkward forehand return, but Alcaraz opts to leave it and then bows his head in dismay as it drops on the baseline.

It’s another highly efficient game to love for the German. Alcaraz just isn’t having a sniff at present and it’s easy to see why Zverev is a two-time champion of this tournament when he serves like this in these indoor conditions.

It’s still a mixed bag from Carlitos, but he manages to come up with the goods on the important points, hitting back from 0-30 and then break point down.

Indeed, the Spaniard produced one of his best points of the match with a clutch, angled drop volley on BP before hustling through from deuce to maintain the advantage on the board.

Zverev lunges into a forehand down the line on the run and comes up trumps to put an emphatic full stop on another solid game to 15.

Alcaraz has been struggling to make much impact on the return for quite some time now, which will be a real concern for him and his team.

Alcaraz turns to his team and shakes his racquet in delight as he surges to the net to close out a game to 30 with a lovely, angled backhand volley.

The forehand continues to be a concern with the occasional misfire, but despite another crosscourt miss for 30-30, he managed to pull it together to open Set 3 on the front foot.

That’s too good. Zverev takes his tally to 13 aces as he surges through, serving out to love to take us into a decider.

A forehand half volley earns a gasp of delight as Alcaraz poses the serve-out question with a strong game to 15.

Zverev has really got his serving mojo flowing right now, but Carlitos must be ready to pounce if the German does have a wobble.

Ouch! Zverev steps in on a high return ands thumps his smash right on to the backside of Alcaraz, who could not get out of the way. The pair exchange a chuckle before Zverev rubs salt in his opponent’s wounds with a wide ace to close out a love hold.

He's one game away from taking us into a third now.

Carlitos remains in contention with another quick-fire hold, this time to love.

Aside from that opening game, this set has felt like a bit of a procession. It has lacked some of the fireworks of the opener so far. Let’s hope that changes as the stakes are raised in the business end.

There’s real authority about Zverev now as Alcaraz scurries around beyond his baseline, trying in vain to retrieve bullet serves and venomous follow-up strikes.

The German maintains his advantage with a decider firmly on his radar.

Alcaraz rattles through a rapid hold to belatedly get on the board. You get the vibe that the big plays in this set are yet to come.