Defending champion Jannik Sinner opened his ATP Finals campaign in an emphatic fashion on Monday night, overpowering an injury-hampered Felix Auger-Aliassime 7–5, 6–1 in front of a raucous home crowd at the Inalpi Arena.
Jannik Sinner Races On
The Italian, cheered on by thousands in Turin, extended his indoor hard-court winning streak to 27 matches and kept alive his hopes of finishing the season as world number one. To overtake current No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner must retain his title and hope the Spaniard falls short of the final.
Their first set was an intense affair until 6–5, when Auger-Aliassime appeared to tweak his left calf while serving. The Canadian received treatment at the changeover and again early in the second set, but his movement was clearly restricted as Sinner raced ahead.
Sinner’s serving was imperious- he won 89 to 100 percent of points behind his first serve, never faced a break point, and sealed victory with a thunderous ace after one hour and forty-one minutes.
“It was a very tough match until 6–5,” Sinner said afterward. “He played very aggressive tennis, so I’m happy to overcome a tough test today. Winning the first match is very important in this format. I hope his injury isn’t serious and wish him a speedy recovery.”
Despite the loss, Auger-Aliassime remained upbeat about his condition and full of praise for the Italian.
“He’s amazing right now,” said the Canadian. “From the first point to the last, he was better. Toughest guy to beat here.”
The victory puts Sinner top of the Bjorn Borg Group, where he will next face Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton in the round-robin stage.
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Earlier in the evening, Taylor Fritz began his campaign in the Jimmy Connors Group with a confident 6–3, 6–4 win over Lorenzo Musetti, who replaced Novak Djokovic following the Serb’s injury withdrawal.
With home support behind him and his serve firing, Sinner looks poised to make another deep run in Turin- and possibly end the year at the summit of men’s tennis.
