Alcaraz and Sinner to Decide ATP Finals Champion in Turin
World number one Carlos Alcaraz and defending champion Jannik Sinner will contest the title decider at the ATP Finals in Turin on Sunday, setting up a blockbuster finale to the 2025 season. The highly anticipated match was confirmed on Saturday after both players won their semi-finals in straight sets.
Alcaraz Eases Past Auger-Aliassime
Carlos Alcaraz delivered a commanding performance to defeat Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-2, 6-4. The Spaniard broke twice in the opening set, demonstrating his dominance from the outset. Despite a spirited effort from Auger-Aliassime in the second set, the Canadian's challenge crumbled when serving at 4-5 down, as four unforced errors gifted Alcaraz the victory.
Alcaraz seized the first break of the match with a moment of sheer brilliance. After chasing down a wicked drop shot from his opponent, Alcaraz stretched fully to stab a volley into the open court, celebrating with pumped fists. Reflecting on his form, Alcaraz said, "I felt like I could do everything on court. It didn't matter if I did forehand down the line, drop shot or backhand down the line, I felt that everything was going to be in."
Sinner Overcomes De Minaur in Front of Home Crowd
In the other semi-final, Italian second seed Jannik Sinner secured his place in the final by defeating Australia's Alex de Minaur 7-5, 6-2. The match was tightly contested in the first set, with neither player able to secure a break until the 11th game. A perfectly angled backhand from Sinner finally evaded a stumbling De Minaur, giving the Italian a 6-5 lead before he served out the set.
Sinner then dominated the second set, racing to a 4-0 lead en route to a comprehensive victory. He sealed the match with a powerful forehand that was well beyond De Minaur's reach. "It was a very tough match, especially at the beginning of the first set," Sinner commented. "In the second set... my level raised and I tried to be a bit more aggressive, which worked very well."
A High-Stakes Finale Awaits
Sunday's final at the Inalpi Arena will be the sixth title decider between Alcaraz and Sinner this year. For Alcaraz, it represents a chance to claim his first ATP Finals trophy. For Sinner, the stakes are even higher. Not only is he the defending champion, but he will also be playing in his third consecutive final in Turin, where he has not dropped a set since the 2023 decider.
Adding further intrigue, Alcaraz ended Sinner's hopes of finishing 2025 as the world number one earlier this week. The Italian will now aim for revenge in front of a passionate home crowd and will be determined to extend his impressive 30-match winning streak on indoor hardcourts.
Alcaraz is fully aware of the challenge that awaits. "Facing Jannik with his home crowd on an indoor court is one of the most difficult challenges in our sport right now," he admitted. "I hope I have three or four people in the crowd cheering for me, I have my friends." Sinner, meanwhile, is ready to enjoy the occasion, stating, "Tomorrow I will enjoy, I will try my best to have the best possible result but in any case, it has been an amazing week."
