Reigning champion Jannik Sinner has extended his remarkable indoor hardcourt winning streak to 29 matches following a solid 6-3, 7-6(3) triumph over American Ben Shelton in a round-robin match at the ATP Finals held in Turin. The atmosphere at the Inalpi Arena was notably relaxed for Sinner, who had already secured the top spot in the Bjorn Borg Group, ensuring a semi-final clash with Alex de Minaur on Saturday. In contrast, Shelton’s journey came to an end after suffering losses in his two previous matches.
Sinner commenced the match by breaking Shelton’s serve in both the first and last games of the opening set. Despite Shelton successfully saving a break point at 2-1, Sinner showcased his dominance through powerful serves and timely aces, maintaining control throughout the set. The second set was more competitive, with Shelton showing resilience as he held his serve to love three times and even saved a match point. However, Sinner’s experience shone through, as he ultimately secured the victory without dropping a set in the tournament.
This was Shelton’s debut at the ATP Finals, where he faced tough competition, including losses to two-time champion Alexander Zverev and Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, who were also competing for a semi-final berth against Carlos Alcaraz.
Sinner’s ambition to end the year ranked world number one took a setback when Carlos Alcaraz clinched a semi-final spot, which alleviated any pressure for Sinner in the match against Shelton, aside from his desire to preserve his unbeaten record. Earlier in the week, Alcaraz received recognition on court with the ATP year-end world number one trophy, a title Sinner previously held last year.
The ongoing rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz embodies the dynamic nature of men’s tennis. Both players have showcased extraordinary skill and tenacity, capturing the attention of fans and promising an exciting future for the sport. As Sinner continues to strive for success, his dedication to his craft remains an inspiration, offering hope for thrilling matchups as the season draws to a close.