SINNER SEIZES ATP FINALS CROWN AS INJURED ALCARAZ FIGHTS TO THE FINISH

Jannik Sinner capped his season with a commanding run to the ATP Finals trophy, outlasting world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (7-4), 7-5 in a tense showdown in Turin.

The match, billed as a clash between two of the sport’s brightest stars, quickly turned into a test of endurance for Alcaraz, who began struggling with a hamstring issue late in the opening set.

The first set was razor-tight, with both players holding firm on serve and refusing to give up a single break point.

Alcaraz even earned a set point after receiving on-court treatment for his leg, but Sinner held his nerve and pushed the set into a tiebreak. From there, the Italian stepped up, while the Spaniard’s game wavered with a string of unexpected errors.

Alcaraz returned for the second set heavily strapped and managed to break immediately, hoping to keep rallies short and protect his leg. But Sinner struck back with a fortunate, and legal, double-hit return that floated high before dropping perfectly, swinging momentum his way. As the pressure mounted, Sinner closed out the match with a late break, avoiding another tiebreak as Alcaraz’s movement faltered.

Afterwards, Sinner said the win meant “the world” to him, praising his team and acknowledging the intense battle.

Alcaraz, despite the defeat, celebrated his level of play and vowed to come back strong next year, predicting more finals between the two.

Image credit: Sole 24 Ore