Post by : Maya Rahman

Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner kicked off his title defense at the ATP Finals with a commanding victory over Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, winning 7-5, 6-1 at the Inalpi Arena in Turin. Energized by a vibrant home crowd, the 23-year-old displayed remarkable confidence and precision from the very first serve, underscoring his determination to hold onto the title he won the previous year.

This match marked their fourth encounter since August and just eight days after their last face-off. Despite the familiarity, Sinner again emerged as the victor, this time with a striking performance. Although he needed a moment to adjust, he quickly established his rhythm, pushing Auger-Aliassime into a defensive role and relying on his serve to stay competitive.

Sinner started on the front foot, holding serve effortlessly in the opening game. In the first set, he conceded only three points on his serve and generated five break point opportunities with his formidable baseline game. The Canadian managed to save four of these break points through his solid serving, delivering eight aces compared to Sinner’s lone ace. Ultimately, Sinner clinched the first set at 6-5, igniting cheers from the enthusiastic crowd.

The second set saw Auger-Aliassime's efforts falter as he battled a left calf injury. Early in the set, he required medical attention, allowing Sinner to seize control of the match. “I hope he recovers quickly,” Sinner expressed after the match regarding his opponent's injury. The injury hampered the Canadian's agility, complicating his attempt to keep pace with Sinner's intensity.

Recognizing his opponent's predicament, Sinner surged ahead to a 3-0 lead in the second set. With a mix of deep groundstrokes and clever drop shots, Sinner maintained his poise, entertaining the crowd thoroughly. Although Auger-Aliassime fought back valiantly to stave off a few break points, he could not hold Sinner at bay. The match concluded in under 90 minutes when Sinner sealed his victory with a powerful ace.

This win extends Sinner's remarkable indoor hardcourt winning streak to 27 matches, a record that has stood since 2023. His last indoor loss was to Novak Djokovic in the ATP Finals final that same year. Sinner’s exceptional form not only exhibits his progress as a top contender on the ATP Tour but also strengthens his position amongst the elite indoor players globally.

Shifting focus, Sinner now gears up for a battle against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz for the coveted world number one ranking. To conclude the year atop the standings, Sinner must defend his title in Turin, while Alcaraz is on the hunt for two additional victories after his opening win. The rivalry between these two young stars continues to be a key narrative of the season, adding anticipation to the ATP Finals.

The support from the Italian crowd significantly uplifted Sinner throughout the match. Every ace, winner, and timely drop shot drew loud cheers. Sinner remarked, “Winning the initial match in this format is vital. I’m thrilled to start strong and perform in front of such a fantastic crowd.” His composure and confidence were evident, as he celebrated points with smiles and engaged with fans.

In other group action, Germany’s Alexander Zverev chalked up a solid 6-3, 7-6(6) win against American Ben Shelton on Sunday. All four competitors in the Bjorn Borg Group—Sinner, Zverev, Shelton, and Auger-Aliassime—will clash in round-robin matches, with the top two advancing to the semifinals.

Attention will shift to the Jimmy Connors Group on Tuesday, where Carlos Alcaraz takes on last year’s finalist Taylor Fritz, both seeking their second win. Italian young talent Lorenzo Musetti will also face Australia’s Alex de Minaur. As the tournament unfolds, fans await potential high-stakes encounters that could influence year-end rankings.

Post-match, Sinner reflected on his performance and aspirations for the week ahead. “It was a challenging match up until 6-5,” he commented. “He played aggressively, but I’m pleased I remained composed and executed my strategy effectively. Starting the format with a win is undoubtedly a significant advantage.”

With the first challenge successfully navigated, Sinner appears poised to make another deep run in Turin, potentially ending 2025 as the world’s top-ranked player—a dream within reach.

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