Next-Gen ATP Finals draw: Holger Rune (still) leads the field
The draw for the next-gen ATP Finals has been struck. The two groups are led by Holger Rune and Lorenzo Musetti . However, it is more than questionable whether the Dane will start in Milan. From a Swiss perspective, Dominic Stricker celebrates his debut as an outsider.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Nov 06, 2022, 09:29 am
Before the 2022 ATP season celebrates its grand finale with the NItto ATP Finals in Turin, the little brother will take place next Monday: the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan. With a very good line-up, with Holger Rund and Lorenzo Musetti, two actors are at the start who knew how to convince with strong performances in Paris-Bercy these days. The Italian, for example, threw the world number three Casper Ruud out of the tournament on his way to the round of eight, while Rune at least made it to the final. With victories over the number one in the world, Carlos Alcaraz, and the most in-form player on the ATP tour, Felix Auger-Aliassime, mind you.
As is well known, Carlos Alacaraz had to give up due to injury in Paris-Bercy, would also be in the next-gen ATP finals as a 19-year-old. With an emphasis on would. Because the Spaniard would be a favorite for the open Nitto ATP finals due to the excellent 2022 season - and as number one in the world. Again with emphasis on would. It's actually the case that the 19-year-old will neither start at the Nitto ATP Finals nor in Milan. The injury sustained by the Spaniard in Paris-Bercy meant that the youngster ended the season prematurely. That became known on Saturday evening.
Rune in impressive shape - but also in Milan?
The top favorite in Milan is probably Holger Rune from Denmark. The 19-year-old recently played an excellent autumn, reached the final at the ATP 500 event in Basel's St. Jakobshalle after winning the title in Stockholm last week - and is now surprisingly in the final in Paris-Bercy. In Milan, the Scandinavian coached by Patrick Mouratoglou would face Brandon Nakashima, Jiri Lehecka and Francesco Passaro in the group stage. If the Dane starts in Milan, with a win in the Paris-Bercy final, Rune would be the first substitute for the Nitto ATP Finals. And so I'd rather be in Turin after a week's break.
In Group B, the starting position is probably a little more balanced - and more predictable. Jack Draper recently showed that the Brit could have a chance against Lorenzo Musetti. In Basel, for example, Draper Carlos Alcaraz was on the verge of defeat. Chung-Hsin Tseng and Dominic Stricker complete the field at the Next-Gen ATP Finals. The latter is the first Swiss in the history of the event. And will in any case be able to calculate good chances against Tseng. The season finale for the best U21 players takes place from November 8th to 12th. Italian Matteo Arnaldi is currently in pole position for a possible alternate spot in the event of Holger Rune canceling at short notice.
Here are the groups at the next-gen ATP finals
| Holger Rune | Lorenzo Musetti |
| Brandon Nakashima | Jack Draper |
| Jiri Lehecka | Chun Hsin Tseng |
| Francesco Passaro | Dominic Stricker |