Felix Auger-Aliassime has officially secured his spot at the prestigious Nitto ATP Finals, thanks to Lorenzo Musetti’s loss in the Athens final against Novak Djokovic. This achievement comes with a significant challenge, as Auger-Aliassime’s first match in the round-robin stage pits him against Jannik Sinner, the defending champion and a popular player among fans.
This encounter will be a rematch of the recent Paris Masters final, where Sinner triumphed with a scoreline of 6-4, 7-6(4). The victory not only added to Sinner’s accolades but also established him as the favorite in their ongoing rivalry, giving him a 3-2 advantage in their head-to-head meetings. Sinner’s recent successes include a comprehensive 6-0, 6-2 victory over Auger-Aliassime at the Cincinnati Masters and a hard-fought win at the U.S. Open semifinals, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Despite this formidable opponent, it’s essential to recognize the bright side for Auger-Aliassime. Earning a ticket to Turin is a remarkable accomplishment, especially considering that his path to qualification was uncertain at various points in the season. The Canadian’s performance surged in the latter half of the year, highlighted by a strong run that included a quarterfinal appearance in Shanghai and Basel, as well as clinching the title in Brussels, before falling short in Paris.
Since his runner-up finish to Carlos Alcaraz at the U.S. Open, Sinner has proven to be an exceptional force, amassing a remarkable record of 16 wins to just one loss, the latter resulting from a retirement. Including his performance at the Six Kings Slam, he holds an impressive 18-1 record with four titles to his name during this period.
With the added advantage of playing in his home country and being the previous year’s undefeated champion at the Nitto ATP Finals, Sinner’s confidence is palpable. His 10-2 lifetime record at this tournament further solidifies his standing as a favorite. In contrast, Auger-Aliassime will be looking to improve upon his debut performance in 2022, where he finished with a disappointing 1-2 record and was unable to progress beyond the group stage.
Given Sinner’s current form and the circumstances surrounding this matchup, the prediction leans heavily in his favor. With the crowd likely to rally behind him, he will aim for a swift victory to kick off his title defense.
Prediction: Sinner in straight sets.
