TURIN, Italy — Carlos Alcaraz got his bid to win a first ATP Finals crown — and claim the year-end No. 1 ranking — off to a positive start on Sunday with a straight-set victory over Alex de Minaur.

Alcaraz recovered from a topsy-turvy opening set to triumph 7-6 (5), 6-2 over the seventh-seeded De Minaur in the opening match of the season-ending event for the top eight men’s players.

Ben Shelton saw three set points saved on his ATP Finals debut with two-time champion Alexander Zverev going on to beat the American 6-3, 7-6 (6).

Top-seeded Alcaraz is involved in a tussle with defending champion Jannik Sinner to end the year as No. 1 and the Spaniard can secure that — regardless of what his rival does — if he reaches the final.

It was the first time Alcaraz had won his ATP Finals opener.

See Full Page