TURIN, Italy — Jannik Sinner, the defending champion, clinched a place in the semifinals of the ATP Finals with a decisive 6-4, 6-3 victory over Alexander Zverev in front of a home crowd. This win marks Sinner’s 28th consecutive match victory on indoor hard courts, a streak that dates back to his loss to Novak Djokovic in the 2021 ATP Finals.
Sinner’s triumph over Zverev signifies his fifth consecutive victory against the German player, including notable wins at the Australian Open final and recent showdowns in Vienna and Paris. Currently ranked second, Sinner still harbors hopes of finishing the year as the world No. 1, contingent on winning the tournament while Carlos Alcaraz does not advance beyond his current matches.
With two wins under his belt, Sinner leads the Bjorn Borg group, while Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime have one win apiece, and Ben Shelton sits without a victory. In the parallel Jimmy Connors group, Alcaraz has also won his initial two matches, positioning himself strongly.
Displaying a commanding performance, Sinner has not lost a set in this tournament since his defeat two years ago. Faced with pressure from Zverev, he consistently elevated his game. Early in the match, Sinner saved two break points in the opening game with powerful serves. He also showed resilience by recovering from 0-40 down to hold serve at a critical moment in the second set, successfully fending off all seven break points he faced throughout the match. Notably, Sinner outperformed Zverev in aces, landing 12 to Zverev’s 7.
“I served very well on the important points,” Sinner remarked, noting the lack of long rallies during the match.
Zverev, a two-time ATP Finals champion, faced challenges against Sinner’s consistent play. Meanwhile, Auger-Aliassime bounced back to achieve his first victory of the Finals, defeating Shelton after losing the first set. The match turned when Auger-Aliassime, initially underperforming, found his rhythm and engaged in longer rallies that shifted momentum in his favor.
Shelton, who is making his first appearance at the ATP Finals, exhibited remarkable skill but also faced frustrations, notably at a moment when he threw his racket after a missed opportunity, resulting in a code violation. Despite his strong start and saving critical points in the tiebreaker, he ultimately succumbed to Auger-Aliassime’s tenacity as the Canadian broke Shelton in the final game, sealing the match on his third match point.
As the tournament progresses, the excitement builds, particularly with Sinner’s ongoing pursuit of the championship and the implications it holds for the rankings and the future of the ATP tour.