Ice-cold Jannik Sinner topples World No. 1 Alcaraz to seal back-to-back ATP Finals titles

Jannik Sinner stood strong in Turin and won the ATP Finals title after defeating Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(4), 7-5. The World No. 2 successfully defended the title – in what was his third consecutive final – and ended the year by narrowing the negative gap in finals against Alcaraz.

Both players came into the match with a significant difference in favor of Alcaraz, who had won 4 of the previous 5 finals they played this year, in addition to 7 of the last 8 direct encounters. However, the Italian capitalized on playing at home to overcome the World No. 1 and tighten the rankings heading into 2026.

The first set started even, with both players defending their service games. Just three games in, things started to get tight when Sinner faced a double fault, tying the score at 40-40, and Alcaraz seemed poised for his first chance to go for the break. However, an incident in the crowd stopped the match due to a medical emergency involving a fan, giving Sinner a chance to pause. He returned to the match a few minutes later and successfully held serve.

The games continued with both players defending their serves without facing break points. Everything reached 6-5 in favor of Alcaraz, who a few minutes later had his first break opportunity, which was also a set point. Sinner managed to defend the break point and force a tie-break. The Italian took the set there thanks to two mini-breaks that gave him the 7-6(4) advantage. Sinner had won 85% of points on his first serve compared to only 77% for Alcaraz. Additionally, the Italian outpaced his rival in winners with 17 to the Spaniard's 13.

At the beginning of the second set, Alcaraz started with a break that gave him an advantageous position. After a few games, the Spaniard led 3-1, looking comfortable with good first serves and appearing set to maintain his lead against the World No. 2. However, Sinner's reaction arrived. He secured a break in the 6th game and took three games in a row, going ahead 4-3.

Both maintained their serves during the following games, with Sinner looking secure on his serve. The Italian went up 6-5, and Alcaraz had the responsibility of sending the match to a second tie-break. However, moments of doubt came for the Spaniard; starting with a 30-15 lead, he ended up facing a break point. It was there that the Italian brought out his best game, securing the final break and closing out the victory 7-6(4), 7-5.

The Italian ends the year with his 6th title of the season, and with no major difference to Alcaraz—only 550 points separate them in the rankings. Sinner finishes the season with a revitalizing victory for his confidence, while Alcaraz still has one last challenge next week in the Davis Cup Finals alongside Spain, where they will play the quarter-final tie against the Czech Republic.