Sinner fires up title defense in Turin with a stylish start
11 November 2025
Match Recap
In Turin, Yannick Sinner began his title defense with a straight-sets victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime, 7-5, 6-1, in a 1 hour 41 minute clash at the Enalbi Arena. The Italian, a crowd favorite, moved well and didn’t allow a single break of serve, advancing to 1-0 in the Bjorn Borg group.
With the win, Sinner extended his indoor winning streak to 27 matches and maintained his perfect record in the tournament since the 2023 final loss to Novak Djokovic.
From the Player
Post-match thoughts: Sinner noted the match was tough until late, crediting Auger-Aliassime’s serving and explaining he made one mishit on a return. He highlighted his aggressive approach and stressed how pivotal it is to win the opening encounter, also wishing a swift recovery for Auger-Aliassime so he can return to full form soon.
Rankings race: The Turin win keeps Sinner’s hopes alive to overtake Carlos Alcaraz at year’s end, trailing by 1050 points in the live rankings. Alcaraz had begun his campaign with a win over Alex de Minaur the previous day.
Match details: The first set featured a strong start from both players, with Auger-Aliassime saving break points at 3-2 and serving well at crucial moments, but Sinner clinched the decisive break in the 12th game as the Canadian began to feel left-leg discomfort after a 30-0 serve. A medical timeout followed between sets, yet he couldn’t regain his rhythm, dropping his serve early in the second set and receiving treatment twice for left calf pain before falling to defeat.
Admiration from the Canadian: Auger-Aliassime praised Sinner’s performance, calling him extraordinarily hard to beat, especially on this court. He appreciated Sinner’s start and relentless pressure, and noted that Sinner is currently among the toughest competitors in the world. He confirmed his own injury wasn’t serious and vowed to focus on the next match with mental discipline intact.
Handling a hurt opponent: Sinner explained that facing a physically challenged opponent requires heightened mental balance, and while it changes the dynamic, it can give you an edge if used correctly—without wishing the match to unfold in that way. He remains focused on maintaining control as he pursues the title and climbing the world rankings.
Head-to-head and outlook: The victory improved Sinner’s edge over Auger-Aliassime to 4-2 in their ongoing rivalry, reinforcing his bid to defend the Turin crown and push toward the top of the standings.
All quotes paraphrased from post-match remarks and tournament coverage.
In a broader context, the win keeps Turin’s title defense on track and reinforces Sinner’s status as a prime contender for the late-season accolades while the ranking gaps tighten ahead of the season finale.
Caption: Sinner celebrates a solid opening win as he eyes the next rounds in Turin.
Side note on the vibe: The crowd’s energy matched the intensity of the rallies, and Turin once again proved its role as a fortress for Sinner’s championship bid.
Sniper punchlines (light and cheeky): 1) Sinner’s precision is so on point that even the scoreboard blinks in approval. 2) If this were a sniper drill, his forehand would file the points as a tax return—perfectly balanced and legally binding to the scoreboard.
