Defending champion Jannik Sinner made a commanding start to his 2025 ATP Finals title defence, securing a straight-sets victory over Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime in their opening round-robin match in Turin, Italy on Monday, November 10.
Strong Start for the Defending Champion
The Italian star, playing in front of a home crowd, demonstrated why he is the man to beat at the prestigious season-ending tournament. Sinner controlled the match from the baseline, using his powerful groundstrokes to dictate play and put pressure on the Canadian from the outset.
The match took place at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, where the world's top eight players are competing for one of tennis's most coveted trophies. This year's tournament runs from November 10-17, featuring round-robin play before the knockout semifinals and final.
Canadian Challenge Falls Short
For Auger-Aliassime, the loss marks a tough beginning to his campaign at the eight-man event. The Canadian, who qualified for the ATP Finals for the second time in his career, struggled to find his rhythm against Sinner's consistent aggression and precision.
Despite moments of brilliance that showcased his own powerful game, Auger-Aliassime was unable to convert key opportunities against the reigning champion. The match statistics revealed Sinner's dominance in both service games and return points, underlining his status as one of the tournament favorites.
What's Next in Turin
With this victory, Sinner takes an important first step toward potentially defending his title and finishing his season on a high note. The win gives him crucial points in the Green Group round-robin stage as he looks to advance to the semifinals.
Auger-Aliassime now faces a critical match in his next round-robin contest as he attempts to keep his semifinal hopes alive. Both players will return to action later in the week for their second matches in the group stage, with the Canadian needing a victory to maintain his chances of progressing in the tournament.
The ATP Finals represents the culmination of the men's tennis season, featuring only the year's eight best-performing players. With substantial ranking points and prize money at stake, every match carries significant importance for both the current tournament and preparation for the upcoming season.
