Carlos Alcaraz vs Andrey Rublev Prediction Nitto ATP Finals Tennis Picks 11/13/24

Carlos Alcaraz's first career defeat to Casper Ruud has sent shockwaves at this year's ATP Finals. Nobody saw it coming that's for sure considering that he owned that matchup (led 4-0 in the head-to-head) and that his opponent had lost four in a row heading to Turin.

But the word we are hearing is that the Spaniard is sick and he confirmed this in his post-match interview. Whether this is only a temporary illness will be subject of intense scrutiny in his next match, as the ATP Finals is a very short tournament and just two matches remain for him in the group.

He'll face Andrey Rublev who also lost his opening match to Alexander Zverev. The Russian eighth seed was broken once in each set and that proved sufficient to hand his first defeat of the group.

Rublev failed to create a single break point on the Zverev serve, but he didn't appear to have any health issues that forced him to withdraw from his last tournament in Metz.

Carlos Alcaraz vs Andrey Rublev Head-To-Head & Match Facts

• Carlos Alcaraz and Andrey Rublev are tied at 1-1 in their head-to-head.

• They last played at the 2024 Madrid Open. Rublev stunned then defending champion Alcaraz en route to the title.

• Alcaraz has won 6 of 9 matches on indoor hard courts in 2024.

• Rublev has won 6 of 11 matches on indoor hard courts in 2024.

Carlos Alcaraz vs Andrey Rublev Prediction

Alcaraz looked out-of-sorts and limped to defeat in his opening group match and that will only fuel Rublev's optimism heading into what will be a pivotal clash in sealing elimination for one of these two players. While it is the Spaniard who has the higher ceiling overall, his rally tolerance looked very average because of his poor health. Rublev has had his own limitations and mental struggles on the court, but he remains a devastating ball striker when he is composed. We're looking out at the Russian to cover the sets spread here as Alcaraz's illness could be a factor.