Jannik Sinner launched his ATP Finals title defence with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Felix Auger-Aliassime in Turin on Monday to get the packed home crowd at the Inalpi Arena off their feet. The Italian, who has his sights on the year-end world No. 1 ranking, extended his impressive indoor hardcourt winning run to 27 matches as he continues with the kind of dominant performance that has characterised his season in 2024.
Facing the Canadian for the fourth time since August, Sinner took command early, losing only three points on serve in the first set. Although Auger-Aliassime continued to hit eight aces and play very well on break points, Sinner got the crucial break at 6-5 in his favor. The second set turned swiftly in the Italian’s favor when he took a 3-0 lead and Auger-Aliassime needed on-court attention for a left calf problem.
Sinner kept up his game plan of pushing play, punctuating powerful baseline shots with well-timed drop shots that drew loud cheers from the Italian fans. He then blasted an ace on the 70th stroke to close out the match in just under 90 minutes.
The outcome bolsters Sinner’s bid to end the year as world number one, but he will have to successfully defend his title if he is to surpass Carlos Alcaraz, who is in the hunt in the Jimmy Connors Group.
