Despite that, Alcaraz did make the semifinals in Turin last year, and he beat a dialed-in and unusually composed Rublev on Tuesday. The back-and-forth second-set tiebreaker, which Alcaraz won 10-8, could serve as a microcosm of what makes Alcaraz so thrilling—and occasionally frustrating—to watch.

The ATP Finals are underway in Turin and the verdicts are in on the latest potential showdown between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Novak Djokovic has dominated this event in recent years, with his victory in last year’s final against Jannik Sinner giving him a record-extending seventh title in the end-of-season showpiece event.