TURIN, Italy – Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated two-time champion Alexander Zverev on Friday to ebook the ultimate spot within the ATP Finals semi-finals.
Canadian reward? Carlos Alcaraz simply gained all three of his group matches and took first place within the year-end rankings.
“It is a worthwhile event for the gamers,” stated Auger-Aliassime. “It’s like a grand finale and while you take a look at the listing of champions, there are loads of No. 1s.
“You wish to get to the finals, however you must undergo nice gamers to get there. If I get an opportunity, I will take it.”
Eighth seed Auger-Aliassime gained 6-4, 7-6 (4) to advance from the Bjorn Borg group together with Jannik Sinner. Earlier, Sinner defeated Ben Shelton, who had already been eradicated, 6-3, 7-6 (3) to finish all round-robin matches.
Sinner will subsequent face seventh seed Alex de Minaur. The ultimate is on Sunday.
Third seeds Zverev and Auger-Aliassime knew the winner would advance to the semi-finals.
Auger-Aliassime appeared to deal with the nerves higher than Zverev, particularly within the second set, though he wasted three set factors within the first set earlier than taking a set level within the fourth.
Zverev didn’t convert on any of his 4 break level alternatives and made 18 of 27 unforced errors within the second set, throughout which he repeatedly gestured in direction of his staff in apparent frustration.
He slotted a simple return into the online, giving Auger-Aliassime two match factors. The Canadian solely wanted one as Zverev hit a forehand lengthy.
This can be Auger-Aliassime’s first look within the prime eight semi-finals of the season.
“It feels nice,” he stated. “I at all times believed that I may very well be in moments like this and win these sorts of video games, however you continue to have to return and do it.
“I believe each of us had been emotional at this time…and performed nicely once we wanted to…I am blessed and really completely happy to be within the semifinals.”
harmless sinner
Sinner, who watched Alcaraz hoist the No. 1 participant trophy simply earlier than the sport, proved he was nonetheless the person to beat in Turin.
With the help of the house crowd, the defending champions completed the group stage unscathed. Sinner hasn’t misplaced a set sport or service sport all week. The Italian did not drop a set within the 5 matches en path to successful the title final yr.
