Jannik Sinner Dominates Alexander Zverev to Reach Semifinals of ATP Finals
Jannik Sinner continued his impressive campaign at the ATP Finals, finishing strong against Alexander Zverev with a commanding 6-4, 6-3 victory on Wednesday. The world No. 1 secured his place in the semifinals with a match to spare, showcasing his determination to defend his title at this prestigious year-end tournament.
Competing before a vibrant local crowd, Sinner started the match with some struggles due to a hand issue but quickly found his rhythm. Despite not being at his absolute best, he outperformed Zverev for the fifth consecutive time, further cementing his dominance over the German.
“I’ve known Sasha for a long time now and we changed our tactics a bit today,” Sinner noted in his post-match interview. “Fortunately, I only needed a break in each set to win. I’m very happy obviously, let’s see how we go in the next match.”
The 24-year-old’s powerful serving was evident as he smashed 12 aces throughout the match. Once he claimed the first set with a crucial break in the tenth game, Sinner never looked back, displaying the confidence and skill that has earned him four Grand Slam titles.
Zverev entered the match with hopes of securing a spot in the semifinals but was unable to capitalize on any of his seven break points, illustrating his frustration on the court. Now, he must defeat Felix Auger-Aliassime in his final group match on Friday to keep his tournament hopes alive.
Despite the pressure, Zverev struggled with unforced errors, including several from his forehand, and appeared visibly irritated by distractions, including flashing advertisements.
As for Sinner, he is set to face Ben Shelton next, aiming to finish atop the Bjorn Borg group and secure a favorable matchup in the semis. The tournament’s intensity is heightened as he seeks to maintain momentum against Shelton.
In the other notable match of the day, Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime fought back to defeat Ben Shelton in a hard-fought encounter, winning 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 7-5. This victory marked Auger-Aliassime’s second win at the season-ending tournament and boosted his chances of advancing to the knockout stage.
“I think I played great—very aggressive, hitting very good balls on backhand and forehand,” Auger-Aliassime remarked post-match. “In the end, it paid off.”
