Auger-Aliassime beats Zverev to reach ATP Finals semis and Sinner stays perfect

1 hour ago7 min read1 comments

In a stunning display of nerve and precision that echoed the legendary cool of Bjorn Borg himself, Felix Auger-Aliassime seized his destiny in Turin, dismantling two-time champion Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6(4) to clinch the final semifinal berth at the ATP Finals. The stakes were crystal clear for both men stepping onto the court: a win-or-go-home scenario that separates the greats from the merely good.While Zverev, a player with the raw power to draw comparisons to a young Boris Becker, faltered under the weight of the moment—making 18 of his 27 unforced errors in a frantic second set and helplessly gesturing to his team in frustration—Auger-Aliassime operated with a surgeon's calm. The Canadian, seeded eighth, weathered a storm of nerves himself, squandering three set points in the opener before finally converting his fourth, but it was his unshakable resolve on serve and in the tie-break that truly defined the match.Zverev’s failure to convert any of his four break point opportunities will haunt him; it was a catastrophic lapse for a player of his caliber, culminating in a tame return dumped into the net to hand Auger-Aliassime two match points. The Canadian needed only one, as a final, wayward Zverev forehand sailed long, booking Auger-Aliassime’s inaugural trip to the semifinals of this elite season-ending tournament.His reward? A daunting clash with the newly crowned year-end World No. 1, Carlos Alcaraz, who is riding a formidable wave of confidence after sweeping his group.Meanwhile, the local hero, Jannik Sinner, continued his imperious march, completing a flawless group stage by dispatching the already-eliminated American Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(3). Cheered on by a rapturous home crowd, Sinner has been nothing short of immaculate, not dropping a single set or even a service game all week—a stat that evokes the domineering form of Roger Federer in his prime.This spotless run mirrors his title-winning campaign last year, where he also didn't concede a set in five matches, building an aura of invincibility on the Turin hard courts. Sinner now faces the seventh-seeded Alex de Minaur, a matchup that on paper favors the Italian but in the pressure-cooker of a semifinal, anything can happen.The narrative arcs here are profound: Auger-Aliassime’s breakthrough signals the arrival of a new major threat, capable of absorbing pressure and executing under duress in a way that recalls the mental fortitude of a Lendl or a Nadal. For Zverev, it’s a painful setback, a match that highlighted lingering questions about his big-match temperament despite his proven champion's resume. The stage is now set for a spectacular weekend finale, where the relentless youth of Alcaraz and the flawless form of Sinner collide with the hard-earned momentum of Auger-Aliassime, promising a climax worthy of the legends who have graced this tournament.

#hottest news

#Felix Auger-Aliassime

#Alexander Zverev

#Jannik Sinner

#ATP Finals

#semifinals

#Carlos Alcaraz

#Turin

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