Alexander Zverev handed Andrey Rublev a third group loss at the ATP Finals as round-robin play wrapped up on Friday in Turin.
The German who started this season on shaky ground after missing half of 2022 with an ank;e injury, posted a 6-4, 6-4 win in just under one and three-quarter hours.
Neither Zverev nor Rublev managed to reach the Saturday semi-finals, with Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev going through to the final four from the group
But Zverev, winner of the year-end event in 2018 and 2021, ends his season pleased with his comeback progress.
“I have to see things in a positive way even if I’m out (of the semis). At the end of the day, that’s sport – that’s the way it goes sometimes.
“After my injury (ankle roll at Roland Garros last season) to be back in the Top 8 in my first season back gives me great hope.
“I”m as motivated as ever for next year. I won’t stop working to try to improve, I want to see what that can bring me.”
Zverev now stands 6-3 over Rublev, a former year-end semi-finalist who did not win a set at this edition.
The German winner is into the final four at the event for the fourth time in six appearances.
