TURIN, Italy: Italy’s Jannik Sinner got his title defense off to a solid start with a dominant straight sets win over ailing Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime at the ATP Finals on Monday in Turin.
Nine days after their duel in the final of the Paris Masters, Sinner was again the strongest winning 7-5, 6-1.
But fellow Italian Lorenzo Musetti was earlier outclassed 6-3, 6-4 by American Taylor Fritz.
After a tight first set, Sinner swept aside Auger-Aliassime, who had been hampered by a left calf injury by breaking serve to rush to a 3-0 lead.
He broke him a second time to close out the match with an ace after one hour 41 minutes.
“Obviously winning the first match is very important in this competition and this format,” said 24-year-old Sinner.
“It was a very tough match until 6-5. I had some chances to break.
He served very well, only once I missed a return, but it can happen. He played some very aggressive tennis, so I’m happy to overcome a very tough test today.
“I hope it’s nothing too serious,” Sinner added of his rival.
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