Jannik Sinner began his title defence at the ATP Finals in impressive fashion, producing a confident straight-sets victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime in front of a vibrant Turin crowd on Monday night.
The Italian star, seeded second, showcased his trademark precision and power to claim a 7-5, 6-1 win and make the perfect start to his campaign in the Björn Borg Group.
Dominant on Serve, Relentless in Control
Sinner’s serve was near flawless throughout, firing consistently and allowing him to dictate play from the baseline. In the opening set, the 23-year-old won 24 of 27 first-serve points and never faced a break point, underlining why he’s considered one of the most formidable players on indoor hard courts.
Auger-Aliassime, seeded eighth, began aggressively and looked poised to push the Italian deep into the first set, coming close to forcing a tiebreak. However, a left calf issue disrupted his rhythm at a critical moment, just as the match’s intensity was peaking.
Injury Halts Canadian’s Momentum
After calling for medical attention twice in the second set, the Canadian’s movement became increasingly limited. Sinner, sensing the shift, capitalized ruthlessly—stretching rallies, targeting angles, and maintaining composure as Auger-Aliassime’s power waned.
The match ended with Sinner sealing victory on serve, sending down an emphatic ace to the delight of the home supporters who roared their approval inside the Pala Alpitour arena.
Sinner’s Streak Continues
The win extended Sinner’s remarkable dominance on indoor hard courts, marking his 27th consecutive victory on the surface. Since last August, only Carlos Alcaraz has managed to beat him among the ATP’s top 10 players, emphasizing just how consistent the Italian has become in the closing stretch of the season.
This latest triumph puts Sinner atop his group and strengthens his bid to end the year as world number one — a goal that remains within reach but depends partly on Alcaraz’s results in the opposite group.
Race for the Year-End No. 1
To retain the top ranking, Sinner must defend his ATP Finals crown and hope Alcaraz falls short of the final. The Spaniard opened his own campaign strongly, earning a straight-sets win over Alex de Minaur in his first match.
Elsewhere, Taylor Fritz also started his Turin journey on a high, serving superbly to defeat Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 6-4 in the Jimmy Connors Group.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will remain on Sinner’s form. The Italian appears fresh, focused, and in rhythm — and with the Turin crowd firmly behind him, his quest to finish the season as the sport’s top-ranked player looks very much alive.