Jannik Sinner showcased his remarkable talent by defeating Alexander Zverev with a score of 6-4, 6-3, earning a place in the semifinals of the Nitto ATP Finals. This victory was Sinner’s second in the Bjorn Borg Group, solidifying his position with one match remaining in the round-robin stage.
“I aimed to deliver my best tennis when it counted, and luckily it worked out,” Sinner remarked after the match, highlighting the competitive nature of the encounter. This victory marked Sinner’s third win against Zverev in just 17 days, underscoring his dominant form.
In his post-match interview, Sinner emphasized the tactical adjustments both players made throughout the match. “We both altered our strategies a bit; it felt like we were both attempting to play aggressively and flat,” Sinner said. With a striking total of 28 winners compared to Zverev’s 17, he displayed remarkable offensive prowess. The Italian also praised the challenges posed by Zverev’s serve, stating, “Returning his serve is extremely tough. He has one of the best serves in the game.”
Sinner began the match strongly, warding off two break points in the opening game with impressive serving, including four aces. He secured a crucial break at 5-4 in the first set, sealing it on his second set point. Throughout the match, Sinner was outstanding on his serve, saving every one of the seven break points he faced, including a tense moment in the second set where he recovered from 0-40 down in his service game.
As he aims to defend his ATP Finals title, Sinner remains in contention to finish the year ranked No. 1. To achieve this, he needs to win the tournament without a loss, while also hoping that Carlos Alcaraz does not achieve any further wins. Alcaraz, who has also qualified for the semifinals, is set to face Sinner’s countryman Lorenzo Musetti in his next outing.
Sinner’s upcoming match will be against Ben Shelton, and he hopes to extend his current indoor winning streak to an impressive 28 matches.
On another note, Felix Auger-Aliassime kept his hopes alive for a semifinal spot, defeating Ben Shelton after a hard-fought battle lasting two hours and 25 minutes. The match ended with a score of 4-6, 7-6(7), 7-5, showcasing Auger-Aliassime’s resilience as he overcame substantial pressure from Shelton’s aggressive play.
Reflecting on the match, Auger-Aliassime noted, “He was playing significantly better than I was at the beginning. It was a strange start, but as the match progressed, I figured out how to get my returns in play.” Although he faced injury concerns after his previous encounter with Sinner, he moved well throughout his match with Shelton, dispelling any doubts about his physical condition.
“I felt great physically today,” Auger-Aliassime affirmed. “We recovered effectively, and I was able to maintain high intensity for two and a half hours. Despite the challenges posed by Shelton’s strong serves, I remained composed, and that helped me through.”
As the tournament progresses, both Sinner and Auger-Aliassime are vying for their places in the semifinals, with thrilling matches still to unfold in Turin.
