In a thrilling showcase of athleticism and determination, Jannik Sinner, the defending champion, secured his place in the semifinals of the ATP Finals in Turin, Italy, with a solid 6-4, 6-3 victory over German player Alexander Zverev. The win not only highlighted Sinner’s remarkable form on indoor hard courts—where he hasn’t lost in 28 matches— but also reinforced his dominance over Zverev, marking the fifth consecutive win against him, including the Australian Open final earlier this year and their recent encounters in Vienna and Paris.
Sinner’s performance was marked by an incredible display of serving acumen, saving all seven break points he faced throughout the match. His ability to elevate his game under pressure proved crucial, especially when he fired off two aces to save break points in the opening game and maintained composure to fend off a challenging start to the second set, turning 0-40 down into a hold.
Currently ranked second in the world, Sinner remains in contention to end the year as the top-ranked player. To achieve this, he must not only win the Finals but also hope his main rival, Carlos Alcaraz, falls short in the remainder of his matches. Presently, Sinner leads the Bjorn Borg group with two victories, while Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime each have one win, and Ben Shelton is yet to secure any.
In the parallel Jimmy Connors group, Alcaraz has also claimed two victories. The format of the tournament allows only the top two participants from each group to progress to the semifinals.
Zverev, who has previously claimed titles at the ATP Finals in 2018 and 2021, struggled to find his rhythm against Sinner’s relentless attack. Following his loss, Zverev faces an uphill battle to advance in the tournament.
In another encounter, Felix Auger-Aliassime gained his first win of the Finals with a comeback against American player Ben Shelton, ending the match with a scoreline of 4-6, 7-6(7), 7-5. Auger-Aliassime’s resilience was critical, especially after losing the first set and facing a challenging start that saw him broken twice.
Reflecting on his performance, Auger-Aliassime acknowledged his shaky beginning but found his footing as the match progressed, emphasizing the importance of perseverance: “It was a weird start, but as the match went on I was finding ways to put returns in the court. You just have to fight, believe, and play the next point the right way,” he stated.
Shelton showcased impressive talent in his ATP Finals debut, initially dominating the first set. However, a pivotal moment came when he failed to serve out the set, allowing Auger-Aliassime to capitalize. Despite moments of frustration expressed through a racket mishap that earned him a code violation, Shelton showcased his skill and resilience but ultimately fell short as Auger-Aliassime sealed the victory with a break to close out the match.
As the competition progresses, the stakes rise, with top players vying for supremacy in one of tennis’s most prestigious events.
