TURIN, Italy – Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated two-time champion Alexander Zverev and secured his place in the ATP Finals semifinals on Friday. The Canadian tennis player will face Carlos Alcaraz, who arrives after securing the number 1 ranking by winning his three group matches.
Auger-Aliassime, seeded number eight, achieved victory with scores of 6-4, 7-6 (4), joining Jannik Sinner in the Bjorn Borg group standings. Sinner, for his part, completed a perfect group stage by defeating Ben Shelton, already eliminated, with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (3). Sinner will face Alex de Minaur, seventh seed, in the next round. The final is scheduled for Sunday. Both Zverev, the third seed, and Auger-Aliassime knew that the winner would advance to the semifinals. Auger-Aliassime showed greater control of nerves than Zverev, especially in the second set, despite squandering three set points in the first. Zverev failed to convert any of his four break opportunities and incurred 18 of his 27 unforced errors in the second set, showing frustration towards his team.This is a tournament of great value for the players. It’s like a grand final and, seeing the list of champions, there have been many number 1s.
Felix Auger-Aliassime
After witnessing Alcaraz lift the trophy as number 1 shortly before his match, Sinner proved to be the man to beat in Turin. Supported by an enthusiastic local fanbase, the defending champion completed a flawless group stage. Sinner has not lost a set, nor a service game, all week. The Italian also did not concede a set in his five matches last year, en route to the title.It feels incredible. I always believed I could be in these moments, that I could win these kinds of matches, but you still have to come and do it.
Felix Auger-Aliassime
