Defending champion Jannik Sinner is on a path to potentially confront his rival Carlos Alcaraz once again, following a decisive victory over American Ben Shelton at the ATP Finals. Sinner triumphed with a score of 6-3, 7-6, securing his spot in the semi-finals after completing a flawless round-robin stage in Turin.
With this victory, Sinner not only maintained his unbeaten streak but also set a remarkable record, claiming his 29th consecutive win on indoor hard courts. He had already finished at the top of the Bjorn Borg Group, and with world No. 1 Alcaraz also advancing, a highly anticipated championship match between the two could materialize if both win their upcoming semi-finals.
Reflecting on his performance, Sinner remarked, “When you come here and win all three round-robin matches, you have to play a very high level, which I’ve done. I felt like serving well in crucial moments has brought me to this point. The mental aspect has been solid so far, so let’s see what comes next.”
On Saturday, Sinner will face off against Australia’s Alex de Minaur, who narrowly advanced to the last four. The match presents a challenge for De Minaur, who has yet to defeat Sinner in their past 12 encounters. The Wimbledon champion acknowledged the pressure, stating, “I have a lot to lose, so it’s going to be very difficult.”
Meanwhile, in the doubles competition, British pair Henry Patten and Finnish partner Harri Heliovaara secured their place in the semi-finals with a 7-6 (5), 6-2 victory over fourth seeds Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic. This achievement signals a remarkable moment in British tennis, as it marks the first time since 1992 that five players from a single country have reached the semi-finals.
In another exciting match, Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Germany’s Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), securing his semi-final berth against Alcaraz. The victory not only marked Auger-Aliassime’s 50th win of the season but also solidified his status as the second Canadian to reach the semi-finals at the Nitto ATP Finals, following Milos Raonic in 2016. Auger-Aliassime will enter his upcoming match brimming with confidence after overcoming challenges earlier in the tournament.
With thrilling matches anticipated in the coming days, fans are set for an exhilarating showdown as the ATP Finals continue in Turin.