It is always an assault on the tennis senses watching the ATP NextGen Finals, but not in an unpleasant way. The court looks weird without the tramlines and the constant listening to and watching the coaching box is certainly different. As, of course, is the scoring system. The number of important points is multiplied and some players have crumbled under the pressure. Carlos Alcaraz and Sebastian Korda have both withstood the pressure so far. But which one of the young guns will win the title?
ATP NextGen Finals Final Prediction
Carlos Alcaraz vs Sebastian Korda
Head-to-head: first meeting
There can be little doubt that this tournament has the correct final. Alcaraz and Korda have been the best players all week and now the Milanese crowd can sit down to watch a potentially great battle. The Spaniard was the highest ranked player coming into the event and has played like it as well. He has certainly been a level above every player he has played this week. Before the tournament began there were some concerns over Alcaraz’s ability to play his best tennis in the pressure points. The scoring system in this event though does allow players to hone this mental skill as they are under more pressure for a lot of the match. Alcaraz has not faltered at all.
Korda has been similarly unbeatable to this stage. However, he has struggled a little bit more to be as clinical. Korda’s serving has probably been the best in the tournament but his all round game isn’t as sharp as Alcaraz’s. If Korda is to win the match he will have to hit the lines with power and also come forward to finish the points, Alcaraz has been ridiculously quick this week on the baseline.
The scoring system may well help a surprise result here but Alcaraz has looked simply peerless in Milan. Korda seemed to struggle physically against Nakashima in the semifinal and he surely needs to be at his peak mentally, physically and tactically to win this one. Korda may take a set expect Alcaraz to take the title.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 4
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