TURIN, Italy (Reuters) -Twice ATP Finals champion Alexander Zverev outclassed four-times major winner Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(5) 6-4 to progress to the semi-finals of the season-ending championship on Friday and leave the Spaniard on the brink of elimination.

Carlos Alcaraz had defeated Alexander Zverev three times this year, including in the French Open finals, before today's match in the Group Stage of the 2024 ATP Finals. However, the trend ended on the indoor hard courts in Turin, Italy.

Alexander Zverev is into the ATP Finals semifinals. Carlos Alcaraz has to wait. Zverev beat Alcaraz 7-6, 6-4 at the season-ending event for the top eight players in Turin on Friday.

Zverev is coming off a defeat to No. 12-ranked Fritz, 6-7, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7, in the quarterfinals at the US Open. In his last match on September 26, 2024, Fritz came up short 4-6, 6-3, 3-6 against Arthur Fils in the Round of 32 of the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships.

Alcaraz's recent struggles on fast hard courts are a welcome reminder that he has plenty of runway to improve.

Alexander Zverev surged into the semi-finals of the ATP Finals after eliminating French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz with a 7-6(5) 6-4 defeat, while Casper Ruud also advanced with a 6-4 5-7 6-2 win over Andrey Rublev on Friday.

Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud will round out the semifinals of the Nitto ATP Finals after each won Friday to win their groups in Turin, Italy. Zverev, who hails from Germany, dispatched Carlos Alcaraz of Spain 7-6 (5) and 6-4.

The German has been the form player of the week in Turin along with Jannik Sinner and he posted a statement victory.

Carlos Alcaraz turns attention to Rafael Nadal farewell after ATP Finals exit - Alcaraz exited in the group stage after losing 7-6 (5) 6-4 to Alexander Zverev.