Sinner's grit seals perfect run in Turin
Jannik Sinner turned a shaky afternoon into another flawless chapter at the Nitto ATP Finals, outlasting Ben Shelton's big serves to extend his streak and set up high-stakes semifinals under Italian lights.
In the charged atmosphere of Turin's Pala Alpitour on November 14, 2025, Jannik Sinner stepped up against Ben Shelton knowing a win would cap his undefeated round-robin in the Bjorn Borg Group. The defending champion didn't fire on all cylinders, his serve lacking its usual precision amid the home crowd's expectations, but he grinded out a 6-3, 7-6(3) victory that ended the American's season and pushed his indoor hard-court streak to 29 matches. This straight-sets result preserved Sinner's eight-match set streak at the season finale, a run built on quiet determination rather than overwhelming dominance.
Shelton's power surges in second set
Shelton, the 23-year-old debutant already eliminated, shook off a nervous opening to unleash his left-handed serve, dropping just two of 18 points through the first nine games of the second set. The fast indoor surface amplified his flat bombs, forcing Sinner into crosscourt rallies that tested the Italian's footwork and return depth. Yet Sinner absorbed the pressure, mixing underspin backhands to neutralize pace and setting up one–two patterns with inside-out forehands that pulled his opponent wide.
In their fourth meeting of 2025, the American saved a match point at 5-4 with a booming ace, the crowd's roar echoing off the arena walls as tension mounted. Sinner, ranked No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings, responded by varying his approaches, using clean net rushes to disrupt Shelton's rhythm and claim the tiebreak 7-3. This marked the Italian's eighth straight win over his rival in an 8-1 head-to-head, highlighting his edge in converting defensive stands into offensive opportunities on this low-bouncing court.
“When you come here and win all three round-robin matches, you have to play at a very high level, which I’ve done. Serving very well in important moments has brought me to this point. It was a very special day playing in front of the home crowd, and against Ben it’s always a tough challenge. When he comes up with a huge serve, you cannot do a lot, so you have to accept it. My mental aspect [has been] great until now, so let’s see what’s coming.”
Undefeated in the Bjorn Borg Group
Defending champion @janniksin extends his win streak on indoor hard courts to 29 matches! #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/ej5oFCev5A— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 14, 2025
Mental edge carries through home pressure
The 24-year-old's composure shone amid the waving Italian flags and pulsing arena energy, turning errant slices and unforced errors into resets that kept Shelton at bay. Sinner's ability to stay present, even as his own delivery wavered, underscored the psychological growth from last year's title run, where he first embraced the weight of national hopes. He leaned on deep returns to force errors, his backhand down-the-line passes slicing through the American's defenses in key moments.
With the top spot in the group secured, Sinner reflected on the mental toll of a grueling week, crediting clutch holds for his progress. The home crowd's fervor amplified every point, transforming potential stumbles into surges of focus that propelled him forward. This victory not only ended Shelton's campaign but affirmed Sinner's evolution into a player who thrives when the stakes demand adaptability over perfection.
Semifinal tests loom with rival shadows
Now Sinner faces Alex de Minaur in the semifinals, the Australian rebounding from a crushing three-set loss to Lorenzo Musetti earlier in the week with a gritty win over Taylor Fritz. “I’m very happy for him,” the Italian said, praising de Minaur's resilience in punching his ticket despite having little to lose. On these swift courts, expect the Aussie to target second serves with crosscourt backhands, forcing Sinner to dial in his inside-in forehands for early breaks and mix in serve-volley to shorten rallies.
Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz's advancement from the Jimmy Connors Group opens the door to a potential final showdown, their rivalry electric after intense 2025 battles. Alcaraz awaits the winner of Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime's evening clash, a winner-takes-all decider that could reshape the bracket. For Sinner, the path ahead demands the same mental steel, blending tactical adjustments with the crowd's energy to chase back-to-back titles on home soil.
