An almost flawless Jannik Sinner first had to really stretch in the first game at the ATP Finals in Turin against Felix Auger-Aliassime, then an injury affected the game. The Canadian’s left calf hurt after a strong start. He therefore had almost no chance in the second set.
Almost a week ago, both players faced each other in a big game. In the final of the ATP Masters in Paris, Jannik Sinner had the upper hand 6:4 and 7:6 and won the title.
The Italian also won in Turin with 7:5 and 6:1. At the end of the first set, the Canadian injured his left calf and was unable to do much to counteract it. It remains to be seen whether the tournament will continue for the 25-year-old.
In the early game, the American Taylor Fritz won safely 6:3 and 6:4 against the Italian Lorenzo Musetti. The next games (November 12th) in the ‘Björn Borg’ group will be played by Alexander Zverev and Auger-Aliassime, and Sinner will also meet Ben Shelton.
The favored Sinner started the game aggressively as usual and completed each of his own service games almost effortlessly. The 25-year-old Canadian didn’t play a bad first set either, repeatedly scoring points with his strong serves, but was still often powerless against Sinner’s precise shots.
Auger aliases struggles with physical problems
As soon as Sinner’s serve came, the 24-year-old scored 100 percent of the time (17 out of 17 attempts). After 47 minutes, Sinner finally won the first set point, but Auger-Aliassime saved his serve and fought to make it 5:5. Sinner still got the first set, just ten minutes later. Particularly spicy: Auger-Aliassime initially took a 30-0 lead, but then made two unexpected mistakes and looked skeptically at his left calf.
The Italian Jannik Sinner delivered a strong performance at his start in Turin
After a maximum set break, the ailing Canadian returned to the field. Sinner played his game undeterred, while his counterpart seemed unsettled after every ball. Symptomatic of this phase was that the first double fault of the hitherto strong server enabled Sinner to break early (0:2). When the score was 0:3 in the second set, the Canadian took a medical time out.
Bublik and Ruud are available as possible replacements
The physiotherapist used the entire time and sent eighth-seeded Auger-Aliassime back onto the field. The short-term help seemed to make a difference, as thanks to good serves the 25-year-old won his first set to make it 1:4.
The rebellion didn’t last long, because Sinner won the next two sets and won 7:5 and 6:1 after an hour and 43 minutes.