Reigning champion Jannik Sinner continued his impressive indoor hardcourt streak, now at 29 matches, with a 6-3, 7-6(3) victory against American Ben Shelton in a round-robin match at the ATP Finals in Turin. The atmosphere at the Inalpi Arena was notably relaxed, as Sinner had already secured the top position in the Bjorn Borg Group, guaranteeing a semi-final showdown against Alex de Minaur on Saturday. Meanwhile, Shelton was eliminated following losses in his two earlier matches.
Sinner began the match by breaking Shelton in both the opening and closing games of the first set. Although Shelton managed to rescue a break point at 2-1, Sinner’s powerful serving and timely aces allowed him to maintain control of the set. The second set saw Shelton put up a stronger fight, holding his serve to love on three occasions and even saving a match point before forcing a tiebreak. Ultimately, Sinner proved his mettle, clinching the victory without dropping a set throughout the tournament.
In his debut at the ATP Finals, Shelton struggled against formidable opponents, facing defeats from the two-time champion Alexander Zverev and Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, who faced off later on Friday in a decisive match for their semi-final slot against Carlos Alcaraz.
Sinner’s aspirations to conclude the year as the world number one took a hit when Carlos Alcaraz secured a spot in the semi-finals, effectively removing any pressure from Sinner’s match against Shelton—other than upholding his unbeaten record. Earlier, Alcaraz was honored on court with the ATP year-end world number one trophy, a title Sinner claimed last year. Fans may still see Sinner and Alcaraz clash again before the season finishes, with potential for a high-stakes final on Sunday.
The ongoing contest between Sinner and Alcaraz reflects the evolving landscape of men’s tennis, with both players illustrating remarkable prowess and resilience. As Sinner aims for further victories, his commitment to maintaining form and pushing through challenges continues to inspire tennis enthusiasts, promising a thrilling continuation of their careers in the sport.