In Turin, Alexander Zverev lost to title defender Jannik Sinner at the ATP Finals by 4:6, 3:6. Despite a strong performance, the German missed out on an early semifinal spot. Sinner remains unbeaten and kept his chance at the year-end world No. 1 ranking.
Alexander Zverev, the 28-year-old 2021 Olympic champion, had to admit defeat to Italy's Jannik Sinner in Turin's Inalpi Arena by 4:6, 3:6. The match lasted 1:37 hours and concluded with Sinner converting his first match point. The approximately 13,000 spectators applauded both players for the intense battle.
Zverev had acknowledged the challenge beforehand. "Sinner is currently the best player on this surface," he said. Just one and a half weeks earlier, Zverev had lost 0:6, 1:6 to Sinner hampered by a swollen ankle. This time fully fit, Zverev failed to convert two break chances in the first set, while Sinner broke in Zverev's first weaker service game to win the set.
In the second set, Zverev created five break opportunities, but Sinner saved them all. Frustrated, Zverev bit the racket handle after an alleged net touch and complained to the umpire about a distracting LED display. It marked Zverev's fifth consecutive loss to Sinner, who is now unbeaten in 28 matches on indoor hard courts.
On Friday, Zverev faces Félix Auger-Aliassime in the Björn Borg Group; the Canadian has a 1:1 record after beating Ben Shelton 4:6, 7:6 (9:7), 7:5. The winner advances to the semifinals alongside Sinner. Their last encounter ended with Zverev's loss in the third round of the US Open.