What a week it’s been at the ATP Finals in Turin, where the world’s best have battled for supremacy and the drama has been nothing short of electric. With the championship match looming, Jannik Sinner has once again proven his mettle, surging into the final after a commanding performance against Alex de Minaur. But as the dust settles on one semifinal, all eyes turn to the next: Felix Auger-Aliassime, fresh off a career-defining win over Alexander Zverev, is set to take on the world No. 1, Carlos Alcaraz, for a shot at the title.
Let’s rewind to the semifinals, where Sinner faced off against de Minaur in what many expected to be a tight contest. Instead, the Italian star extended his remarkable dominance over the Australian, clinching his 13th consecutive victory against de Minaur with a 7-5, 6-2 win. Playing in front of his home fans, Sinner looked every bit the defending champion, never dropping his serve and stretching his indoor hard court winning streak to a jaw-dropping 31 matches. It’s been three years since Sinner last lost a set at the ATP Finals, a run dating back to his defeat by Novak Djokovic in the 2023 championship match. Since then, he’s swept aside all comers, racking up 18 consecutive sets without a blemish.
"I was happy with how I served and with how I reacted in the important moments," Sinner said after the match, radiating the quiet confidence of a player at the peak of his powers. The Italian’s first victory over de Minaur came in the 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals, and since then, he’s won 29 of their 31 sets played. For de Minaur, the challenge remains daunting. "I know how to beat him. It’s just not that easy to do," de Minaur admitted. "You’ve got to hit the ball very hard, very flat, very deep and very close to the lines. It is something that I try to do, but it’s obviously not the easiest thing to do ... I need to serve well throughout the whole match." Despite the defeat, de Minaur reflected on his campaign with perspective, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy balance to avoid the mental pressures that can come with elite competition.
While Sinner’s passage to the final was emphatic, the other half of the draw has been a cauldron of tension and opportunity. Felix Auger-Aliassime, the Canadian dynamo, punched his ticket to the semifinals with a gritty 6-4, 7-6(4) victory over Alexander Zverev. For Auger-Aliassime, this win marked his first-ever entry into the ATP Finals semifinals, and what a way to do it—by toppling the world No. 3 in a high-stakes showdown.
The match was a showcase of nerves and resilience. Auger-Aliassime saved break points in both the fifth and ninth games of the opening set before grabbing the only break of the match. The second set saw even more drama, with the Canadian holding his nerve to claim the last four points in the tiebreak. Speaking to Prakash Amritraj on Tennis Channel, Auger-Aliassime highlighted the mental challenge of such moments: "When a match is high stakes, the mentality is crucial. I think your biggest challenge is self-belief in these matches so you have to come in with the best belief. You know you’re going to play a tough opponent, you know you’re going to have to be decisive when you need to, you’re going to have to be smart, you’re going to have to stay calm. There’s going to be ups and downs, there was high tension in the second set, but at the end, I was able with a positive mindset … believing that my chance would come, and seize it."
Auger-Aliassime’s serve was his lifeline, especially as Zverev threatened to break at key junctures. "It was a great first set. He was getting a few chances but I came up with big serves to save them. The first set was very solid and the start of the second set was, too. I had a lot of chances. When that happens you need to focus on the present but you’re aware of missed opportunities, so the match got a little tense from that moment. But I was able to hold serve and in the tie-break it was tight ’til the end," Auger-Aliassime told reporters, crediting his composure under pressure.
For Zverev, the loss was a bitter pill after a season he himself described as “incredibly unsatisfying.” Despite reaching the Australian Open final, winning his 24th career title in Munich, and finishing the year ranked No. 3, the German star couldn’t hide his disappointment. "For me, an incredibly unsatisfying season," Zverev confessed. "The tennis season is long, you have a lot of up and downs. For me there were not many ups. I think for me the Australian Open final, Munich as you mentioned. Everything else, I’m very unsatisfied." He pointed to his early exits at Wimbledon and the US Open, as well as his quarterfinal loss to Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros, as low points. Looking ahead, Zverev confirmed he’ll represent Germany in the upcoming Davis Cup Final 8 before shifting focus to fitness and preparation for 2026. "Staying fit is number one for me priority because then I can build. It’s as simple as that," he said, emphasizing the need to regroup after a challenging year.
As the ATP Finals build toward a thrilling conclusion, the stage is set for a blockbuster showdown. Auger-Aliassime will now face Carlos Alcaraz, the Spanish sensation who has already secured the year-end No. 1 ranking. Alcaraz’s 2025 campaign has been nothing short of remarkable, boasting an eye-popping 70-8 record and eight titles, including the French Open, U.S. Open, and more. The Spaniard has also reached the finals in Barcelona and Wimbledon, further cementing his status as the player to beat.
The rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz has defined the Grand Slam season, with the two splitting the year’s major titles—Sinner taking the Australian Open and Wimbledon, Alcaraz claiming the French Open and U.S. Open. Their head-to-head is dead even at 6-6, and should Alcaraz advance, fans could be treated to yet another epic chapter in their burgeoning rivalry. But Auger-Aliassime, having already taken down Zverev at both the US Open and ATP Finals this year, is no stranger to upsetting the odds. His mental fortitude and booming serve make him a genuine threat to anyone, even the world’s best.
Meanwhile, Sinner’s run in Turin has been nothing short of sensational. Not only is he aiming to retain his ATP Finals crown, but he’s also playing some of the most dominant tennis of his career. With a home crowd behind him and a streak of 31 straight indoor wins, Sinner is poised to cap off his season with a flourish, regardless of who emerges from the other semifinal.
As the action in Turin continues, anticipation is at fever pitch. Will Sinner continue his historic run and defend his title, or will a new champion rise from the Alcaraz–Auger-Aliassime clash? One thing’s for sure: tennis fans are in for a treat as the ATP Finals reach their dramatic conclusion.
