Jannik Sinner Defends Nitto ATP Finals Title, Beats Carlos Alcaraz in Turin Thriller
Italian dethrones Spaniard in epic Turin showdown finale.
In a gripping climax to the 2025 men's tennis season, world No. 2 Jannik Sinner outlasted No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(4), 7-5 to defend his Nitto ATP Finals crown before an ecstatic home crowd in Turin, securing his second straight title without dropping a set. The victory marked Sinner's second win over Alcaraz this year, avenging earlier defeats and extending his unbeaten indoor hard-court streak to 31 matches, while capping a remarkable 58-6 season with two Grand Slams.
Alcaraz, already locked in as year-end world No. 1 with an 71-9 record and victories at Roland Garros and the US Open, entered his first ATP Finals final undeterred but couldn't overcome Sinner's resilience. The Spaniard leads their head-to-head 10-6 overall, including triumphs in the French Open, US Open, Italian Open, and Cincinnati finals this year, yet Sinner's poise shone through in this sixth 2025 clash, denying Alcaraz a share of the year-end championship.
The match unfolded with high drama from the outset, as the pro-Sinner faithful erupted in "Ole" chants and waved saintly banners for the Italian. Sinner erased a set point at 5-6 in the opener with a thunderous second serve, then dominated the tiebreak via a spectacular lob-overhead sequence after chasing down Alcaraz's drop shot. Alcaraz, nursing a taped right thigh treated twice, broke early in the second but faltered, with Sinner leveling at 3-3 and breaking again on a wide backhand to seal the win, collapsing in joyous exhaustion.
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Post-match, Alcaraz graciously warned, “I hope you’re ready for next year—I’ll be aiming for more finals against you,” prompting Sinner’s retort of “great battles ahead.” Sinner reflected on his “incredible season,” crediting improved serving honed after the US Open loss and overcoming a three-month doping ban earlier in the year. Statistically, Alcaraz edged winners 28-25 but committed more unforced errors (26-24), while Sinner's eight aces to five double faults underscored his edge.
In doubles, Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten triumphed 7-5, 6-3 over Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski, rounding out a weekend of Italian fervor. As Sinner pockets a record $5.07 million payday and eyes 2026 dominance, the Sincaraz era promises intensified rivalry, with both stars—boasting six and four majors respectively—poised to redefine tennis supremacy.
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