Jannik Sinner starts strong: Defending champ takes down ailing Auger-Aliassime in Turin opener

Jannik Sinner started his ATP Finals campaign on the right foot after defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime in a match marred by the Canadian's physical discomfort. After a tight first set, Sinner capitalized on his rival not being at 100% and ultimately claimed the victory with a score of 7-5, 6-1.

The Italian arrived with the mission to defend the title he won in 2024—where he was crowned without dropping a set—and with 1,500 points to defend, he faces a difficult path if he wants to finish the year as World No. 1. This goal does not depend exclusively on him, as even being champion would require a stumble from Carlos Alcaraz.

The Canadian was seeking revenge for the three consecutive losses he had suffered against Sinner in the last three months. Felix had secured his spot at the ATP Finals after an inspired end to the year, but he ended up being affected by physical overload—which had already forced him to withdraw from Metz a week earlier.

With this result, the players in the Bjorn Borg Group will return to the court this Wednesday for the matches between Sinner and Zverev (first-match winners) and Shelton vs. Auger-Aliassime (first-match losers). Now it remains to be seen if the Canadian can recover in time, or if it will be an opportunity for one of the alternates—with Alexander Bublik being first on the list.

The match began with both players sticking to their roles: relying on first serves and waiting for opportunities on the return. An indoor specialist like Auger-Aliassime—with 7 titles under these conditions—was not going to give World No. 1 Jannik Sinner many chances.

Both held their serves without difficulty for several games. When Sinner was ahead 3-2, he fought to earn a couple of break opportunities but couldn't convert them. The same occurred when the Italian was ahead 5-4, holding a set point on the return, but again Auger-Aliassime showed composure to hold his serve.

Felix felt the pressure of the moment, and things got complicated when a tie-break seemed inevitable. Playing most points on his second serve, an unforced error from the Canadian ultimately decided the set 7-5 in favor of Sinner, who won 100% of his first-serve points. Auger-Aliassime left the court for a toilet break while touching his leg, apparently due to physical discomfort.

Upon returning to the court, Felix was visibly not moving with the same fluidity as in the first set and was clearly not at 100% physically. Sinner secured an early break, and without much complication, he advanced to 3-0, at which point Felix requested a medical time-out to receive treatment for his leg discomfort.

Despite still not looking fully recovered, Auger-Aliassime managed to hold his serve to make the score 3-1, showing he still had the spirit to fight for the match. At the next changeover—when Sinner was ahead 4-1—Auger-Aliassime was again seen being attended to by the doctor, although this time without taking more than the standard rest time.

Between serve and volley, and clinging to his service game, Felix tried to continue with the match, although he was already out of rhythm. Sinner tested him with a couple of drop shots, and it became evident that Felix was no longer at 100%. That's how the second break in favor of Sinner came, who ended up comfortably sealing the victory 7-5, 6-1 and quickly taking the group lead.

The next challenge for both players will be this Wednesday, where Sinner will face Alexander Zverev—also a winner in his first match—while Felix will face Ben Shelton—who fell to Zverev. In case Felix cannot present himself for his next match, Alexander Bublik is the first alternate, something that could slightly alter things in the Bjorn Borg Group.