TURIN, Italy — Jannik Sinner acquired his title protection off to a flying begin with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime on the ATP Finals on Monday in entrance of his dwelling followers.
Aiming for primary within the year-end rankings. Sinner must win the season-ending occasion for the highest eight gamers and hopes Carlos Alcaraz would not make it to the finals.
Auger-Aliassime, ranked No. 8, seemed to be slowed down by a left calf downside close to the tip of the primary set. In the course of the second set, he acquired two therapies from the coach.
“It was very powerful till 6-5, however then he had bodily issues,” Sinner mentioned of breaking the Canadian’s serve to finish the primary set.
Sinner gained the title in Turin final yr with out dropping a set and has not misplaced on this event since shedding to Novak Djokovic within the 2023 remaining.
A placard studying “Italian Pleasure” held on Sinner excessive above the gang, and through his on-court postgame interview, he was serenaded with soccer-like chants of “Ole, ole, ole. Thinner, thinner.”
“This can be a particular event and place for me,” he mentioned.
Sinner has gained all 4 conferences with Auger-Aliassime this yr, together with the US Open semifinals and the latest Paris Masters remaining.
Sinner and Alexander Zverev lead Bjorn Borg’s group with one win every after Zverev defeated Ben Shelton on Sunday.
The highest two from every group advance to the semifinals.
Sinner gained 89% of his factors on his first serve, successful 32 of his 36 factors.
“My group is a really troublesome group, with some guys who serve actually, actually robust,” Sinner mentioned. “It is troublesome to recuperate as quickly as you concede a break, so it’s a must to keep centered for many of the match.”
In contrast to Musetti, who’s taking part in for the primary time, Fritz has a confirmed observe document on this event, having reached the ultimate final yr and the semi-finals in his debut in 2022. He additionally spent the previous week getting ready on an indoor court docket.
“It is an important recreation to win. If we wish to get out of the group, I’d say so,” Fritz mentioned. “He performs a totally totally different recreation, slicing and all the pieces, so it took me some time to get used to it.
“I used to be capable of keep away from a break early within the recreation when he had an opportunity. After that, I felt like I used to be extra enthusiastic in regards to the recreation. … I believed I performed very well.”
Musetti defeated Italian Djokovic within the Athens remaining on Saturday, approaching within the second half instead of Djokovic, who withdrew with a shoulder damage. Musetti had simply arrived in Turin on Sunday however was unable to journey to the cheers of his hometown crowd.
“I wasn’t at 100%, particularly bodily,” Musetti mentioned. “Mentally, I am actually glad to be right here. I am very pleased with myself, my crew and what we achieved. I attempted to battle with what I had at present.”
Fritz and Alcaraz lead the Jimmy Connors group with one win every, whereas Alex de Minaur and Musetti observe with one loss every.
On Tuesday, Fritz will play Alcaraz and Musetti will play De Minaur.
