Turin semis ignite Sinner's title defense
With the Nitto ATP Finals round-robin drama behind them, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz step into knockout pressure in Turin, where a flawless serve and mental chase could define their season's end against resilient challengers.
In the humming Pala Alpitour, the Nitto ATP Finals Nitto ATP Finals transitions from group-stage intrigue to the stark stakes of semifinals on Saturday. Turin's indoor hard courts, with their crisp bounce and swift pace, amplify every serve and rally as players confront elimination. Carlos Alcaraz Carlos Alcaraz has already locked in year-end No. 1 honors through a perfect 3-0 run, yet two more victories would seal a career-high nine titles this season. His path crosses Felix Auger-Aliassime Felix Auger-Aliassime, who outlasted Alexander Zverev Alexander Zverev in a survival clash. Jannik Sinner Jannik Sinner defends his crown after matching that undefeated group mark, his motivation sharpened by a bid to reclaim the top spot lost to Alcaraz in the US Open US Open final eight weeks ago. The home crowd's energy pulses through the air, ready to fuel the Italian against Alex de Minaur Alex de Minaur.
Sinner navigates de Minaur's gritty comeback
Sinner's Turin dominance endures, with eight straight wins and 16 consecutive sets since claiming the 2024 title without a loss. His serve has repelled every break point this week, including seven against Zverev, setting a tactical foundation of unyielding holds. Yet de Minaur arrives fueled by redemption, his 7-6(3), 6-3 defeat of Taylor Fritz Taylor Fritz securing advancement only after Alcaraz's win over the local wildcard. That victory marked the Australian's first in two Turin outings, a balm after squandering a 5-3 final-set lead to Musetti earlier.
De Minaur reflected on the relief post-match, his voice carrying the weight of recent setbacks.
I have dealt with a fair bit of heartbreak recently, so it was good to finally get a win here in Turin. I have worked really hard so it was good to get some positive feedback or a positive reward for the hard work, so I am very happy with the performance.
Sinner, fresh from a 6-3, 7-6(3) scrap with Ben Shelton Ben Shelton, praised his opponent's bounce-back, underscoring the danger in facing a foe with scant pressure. The Italian's eight-week rankings rollercoaster—from US Open loss to a one-week No. 1 reign—adds emotional layers, pushing him to chase Alcaraz with heightened focus.
Their 13th meeting traces back to the 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, including this season's Australian Open Australian Open quarters. De Minaur, winless in 12 prior clashes, broke Alcaraz twice in their opener here and eyes similar returns against Sinner's delivery. On these courts, the Australian's speed shines in crosscourt retrievals, forcing Sinner to mix slice serves wide with body targets to disrupt one–two patterns. Sinner's flat groundstrokes demand precision to avoid de Minaur's inside-in counters, while the crowd's roar could either steady the defender or rattle the challenger in tiebreak moments.
Alcaraz unleashes against Auger-Aliassime's surge
Alcaraz enters unburdened, his 3-0 sweep matching his 2023 debut depth but with cleaner execution. A 6-4, 6-1 dismissal of Musetti on Thursday not only advanced him but neutralized any Sinner semifinal threat to his No. 1 perch. Now, the Spaniard targets a first Nitto ATP Finals trophy to eclipse his six-title 2023 haul, his explosive game thriving on the surface's speed.
He admitted the stakes weighed heavy despite the secured spot.
It means the world to me, to be honest. The year-end No. 1 is always a goal.
Auger-Aliassime, in his second appearance, earned semis with a 6-4, 7-6(4) edge over Zverev, his 50th win of the season and a rebound from dropping the week's first three sets to Sinner and Shelton. The Canadian's flat baseline power has netted two victories, lifting him to No. 5 in live rankings and positioning for a Top 5 debut if he advances further than de Minaur.
At 25, three years from his November 2022 No. 6 peak, Auger-Aliassime views this as a pinnacle event.
[The Nitto ATP Finals] is like a grand finale and when you have a look at the list of champions, there have been many No. 1s. You want to be in the final, but I’ll have to go through a great player to do that. I will take my chance if I have it.
Alcaraz holds a 4-0 head-to-head edge since 2023, sweeping all nine sets, but their first 2025 clash invites fresh tactics. The Spaniard's inside-out forehands and drop shots could pull the Canadian wide, opening down-the-line lanes, while Auger-Aliassime's topspin returns aim to neutralize second serves and extend rallies. With no prior meetings this year, Alcaraz's athletic net rushes test Auger-Aliassime's passing precision, the indoor tempo favoring quick adjustments amid Turin's building buzz.
Doubles clashes blend national pride and poise
Beyond singles, doubles semis echo the intensity with an all-British showdown as top seeds Julian Cash Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool Lloyd Glasspool—the first pair to secure year-end No. 1 honors—meet Neal Skupski Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury Joe Salisbury. Cash and Glasspool advanced via a 6-3, 7-5 win over Marcel Granollers Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos Horacio Zeballos in a must-win, ensuring a British finalist against the John McEnroe John McEnroe Group winners and ex-No. 1s. Both teams chase a flawless first full season together, their volleys and poaches clashing in a test of partnership synergy.
On the other side, Italians Simone Bolelli Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori Andrea Vavassori draw home fervor against Harri Heliovaara Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten Henry Patten, who progressed with a 7-6(5), 6-2 defeat of Marcelo Arevalo Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic Mate Pavic. The Finn-British duo, semis runners-up last year, return for a second straight event, their lob defenses and net instincts challenging the hosts' baseline depth. Bolelli and Vavassori leverage crowd energy for crosscourt setups, turning pressure into aggressive poaches on the fast hard.
These doubles tilts mirror the singles' psychological depth, with British rivalry stirring intra-national tension and Italian resolve echoing Sinner's poise. As serves crack and volleys land, the semis weave tactics and emotion into Turin's season finale, where a single break or mental shift could launch a team toward the trophy and year-end glory on Sunday.
