Jannik Sinner has completed a perfect group stage in his ATP Finals title defence, comfortably beating Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) in Turin, Italy, on Friday. The Italian tennis player took one hour and 35 minutes to see off the spirited Shelton, who bowed out of his debut Finals without a win from his three matches in the Bjorn Borg Group.
Sinner’s victory sets up a semi-final clash with Alex de Minaur on Saturday afternoon, where he is expected to be the red-hot favourite to reach his third final in as many years at the season-ending tournament. The 24-year-old has not dropped a set at the Finals since losing the 2023 final to Novak Djokovic.
Sinner’s Dominant Performance
Sinner started Friday’s match by immediately breaking Shelton’s serve and maintained the pressure throughout, never giving the world number 19 any real chance of victory. This win continues Sinner’s strong form, having not had to play his best tennis to secure victories against top players.
According to the ATP Tour, Sinner’s consistent performance has earned him a spot in the semi-finals, where he will face De Minaur. Sinner’s path to the final is expected to be challenging, but his current form suggests he is a strong contender.
Road to the Final
Sinner is on course to face Carlos Alcaraz in the final, who secured the year-end top spot in the men’s rankings on Thursday night. Alcaraz has won four of his five meetings with Sinner this season, including two Grand Slam finals.
The semi-final line-up will be completed later on Friday when Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime compete for the chance to finish second behind Sinner and set up a last-four clash with Alcaraz. The outcome of this match will determine the final semi-final pairing.
The ATP Finals, also known as the season-ending championships, brings together the top eight players in the ATP rankings. The tournament is considered a prestigious event in the tennis calendar, with players competing for the coveted title.
Alcaraz’s Year-End Ranking
Alcaraz’s victory in securing the year-end top spot was confirmed on Thursday night, solidifying his position as one of the top players in the world. His previous meetings with Sinner have been intense, with their French Open final being one of the most memorable matches of the season.
As the tournament progresses, fans can expect to see more thrilling matches between the world’s top tennis players. The outcome of the semi-finals will determine the final pairing, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the ATP Finals.
The final match is expected to be a closely contested encounter between Sinner and Alcaraz, with both players having demonstrated exceptional skill and determination throughout the season. The ATP Finals will continue on Saturday with the semi-finals, and fans can look forward to witnessing the crowning of the champion.
