In a thrilling opening match at the ATP Finals in Turin, Jannik Sinner showcased his prowess on the court by defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime with a commanding scoreline of 7-5, 6-1. The encounter unfolded before an enthusiastic home crowd, highlighting Sinner’s status as the defending champion.
Sinner’s victory over the eighth-ranked Auger-Aliassime not only marked a strong start to his title defense but also kept Sinner’s quest for the year-end No. 1 ranking alive. To clinch the top spot, Sinner must win the tournament and simultaneously hope that Carlos Alcaraz does not make it to the final.
The match took a turn when Auger-Aliassime, who was already struggling, suffered a left calf injury towards the end of the first set. He required medical attention twice during the second set, with Sinner commenting on how the Canadian’s physical struggle shifted the momentum after breaking serve at 6-5 in the first set.
Sinner’s performance was impressive, as he won an astonishing 89% of his first-serve points, turning 36 opportunities into 32 points. This victory extends Sinner’s unbeaten streak at the ATP Finals, where he has not lost a match since the 2023 final against Novak Djokovic.
Adding to the atmosphere, the tennis star received an enthusiastic welcome from the crowd, who chanted his name in support. Reflecting on the event, Sinner expressed his deep connection to the tournament, emphasizing its significance in his career.
Sinner’s success over Auger-Aliassime marked his fourth consecutive win against the Canadian this year, which included triumphs at both the US Open and the Paris Masters final. He now sits atop the Bjorn Borg group alongside Alexander Zverev, who also secured a victory against Ben Shelton on Sunday.
Meanwhile, in another match earlier in the day, Taylor Fritz defeated Lorenzo Musetti, the late replacement for Djokovic, with a score of 6-3, 6-4. Unlike Musetti, who was making his tournament debut, Fritz already had prior experience, having reached the final last year and the semifinals in his debut season in 2022.
Fritz noted the importance of the win for his journey in the tournament and shared insights on adapting to Musetti’s playing style, which incorporates a variety of slicing techniques. Musetti, who entered the tournament after Djokovic withdrew due to a shoulder injury, acknowledged the challenges of competing without being fully fit but expressed pride in making it to Turin.
Looking ahead, Fritz will face Alcaraz next, while Musetti will take on Alex de Minaur, with both matches promising to deliver further excitement as the tournament progresses. The stage is set for intense competition in pursuit of the prestigious ATP Finals title.
