Alcaraz and Sinner set up inevitable ATP Finals decider
TURIN, Italy :World number one Carlos Alcaraz eased to a 6-2 6-4 win over Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime at the ATP Finals on Saturday to set up a highly-anticipated title decider with defending champion Jannik Sinner.
The Italian second seed defeated Alex de Minaur 7-5 6-2 in the other semi-final.
Alcaraz overcame Auger-Aliassime's spirited resistance by breaking twice in the opening set and nerves appeared to hit the Canadian when serving at 5-4 down in the second as four unforced errors gifted the Spaniard the game, set and match.
Sinner and Alcaraz will go head-to-head in their sixth title decider this year when they return to the Inalpi Arena for Sunday's final where the 22-year-old Spaniard will bid to win his first title at the season-ending tournament.
The Italian will be playing in his third successive final in Turin, where Sinner has not dropped a set since losing the 2023 decider to Novak Djokovic.
Auger-Aliassime saved three break points in his first service game, but was merely delaying the inevitable with Alcaraz able to turn on the style at will. The Spaniard broke to lead 3-1 and wrapped up the opening set by breaking to love.
Alcaraz seized the first break with a touch of brilliance. After Auger-Aliassime chased down a wicked drop shot, Alcaraz reached full-stretch to stab a volley into the open court, pumping his fists in celebration.
"I felt like I could do everything on court," Alcaraz said about his opening set performance.
"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."
The Canadian, who managed to force a break point in the first set, hung in longer in the second.
However, it was a case of anything Auger-Aliassime could do, Alcaraz could do better.
The Spaniard held to love to lead 5-4 before the battling Auger-Aliassime collapsed under the pressure, leaving Alcaraz to race across the court to celebrate with his team.
SINNER STAYS PERFECT
World number two Sinner had to dig deep to get his first break of the afternoon match, which tipped the first set in his favour and the Italian took the first four games of the second set en route to sealing victory over the Australian.
Seventh seed De Minaur fended off two break points to hold the opening game of the match and was on the verge of a break after going 40-0 up in the second, but Sinner held his nerve to hold.
"It was a very tough match, especially at the beginning of the first set. Felt like (De Minaur) was serving great," said Sinner.
Neither player could get a break as the match stayed even until the 11th game, when Sinner's perfectly angled backhand evaded a stumbling De Minaur to put the Italian 6-5 ahead. Sinner held the next game with ease to clinch the first set.
Sinner dominated the second set, bringing up match point with a strong backhand volley before sealing victory with a powerful forehand that was well outside De Minaur's reach.
"In the second set... my level raised and I tried to be a bit more aggressive, which worked very well," Sinner said.
"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."
Sinner saw his hopes of ending 2025 as world number one ended by Alcaraz this week, but with one final act to play out, the Italian will aim to exact revenge in front of a largely partisan crowd.
The Italian will also be determined to extend his 30-match winning streak on indoor hardcourts.
"Facing Jannik with his home crowd on an indoor court is one of the most difficult challenges in our sport right now," Alcaraz said.
"I hope I have three or four people in the crowd cheering for me, I have my friends."
(Additional reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; editing by Clare Fallon and Pritha Sarkar)
