Jannik Sinner began his title defense at the ATP Finals in front of his home fans with a 7-5 6-1 win over Felix Auger-Aliassime on Monday.
To also claim the world No. 1 spot at the end of the year, Sinner would have to win the season-ending competition of the world’s top eight players and hope that Carlos Alcaraz doesn’t make the finals.
Eighth-seeded Auger-Aliassime appeared to be slowed by a left calf problem and was treated twice by a physiotherapist during the second set.
Sinner won the title in Turin last year without dropping a set and has not lost in the tournament since the final to Novak Djokovic in 2023.
It also marks Sinner’s fourth win over Auger-Aliassime this year, including the US Open semifinals and the recent Paris Masters final.
Sinner and Alexander Zverev currently lead the Bjorn Borg group with one win each after the German defeated Ben Shelton on Sunday.
“It was very difficult up to 6-5 and then he (Auger-Aliassime) had some physical problems,” Sinner said.
“It is a special competition and place for me.
“But I have a very difficult group of people with very strong serves. You have to stay focused throughout the game because the moment you take a break it is difficult to come back.”
Fritz frustrates late substitute Musetti
Taylor Fritz reached the finals of this event last year losing to Jannik Sinner. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
On Monday morning, Taylor Fritz beat late qualifier Lorenzo Musetti, who was making his tournament debut, 6-3, 6-4.
Unlike Musetti, Fritz has competition history, including the finals last year and the semifinals in his debut in 2022.
“It’s a very important competition to win. If you want to get out of the group, I want to say it,” Fritz said. “He plays quite differently with the slice and everything, so it took me some time to get used to it.
“When he had his opportunities, I was able to avoid collapsing early in the game, which made me feel like I was more into the game. … I thought I did a really good job.”
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Highlights from Lorenzo Musetti’s performance against Taylor Fritz in the opening match of the ATP Finals in Turin
Musetti was a late replacement for Djokovic, who withdrew with a shoulder injury after beating the Italian in the final in Athens on Saturday. Musetti only arrived in Turin on Sunday, but unlike Sinner, he could not rely on the support of his hometown crowd.
“You can’t be at 100 percent, especially physically,” Musetti said. “Mentally, I’m really happy to be here. I’m very proud of myself, the team and what we’ve achieved. Today I tried to fight with what I’ve got.”
Fritz and Alcaraz lead Jimmy Connors’ group with one win each, while De Minaur and Musetti trail with one loss each.
