Carlos Alcaraz dominates Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-2 6-4 and reaches Jannik Sinner in the final of the Nitto ATP Finals
Here we go again: still the two of them. Carlos Alcaraz reaches Jannik Sinner in the final act of the ATP Finals, unceremoniously dispatching Felix Auger-Aliassime with a clear 6-2 6-4 in just an hour and a quarter. A match without history, with the world number one too inspired compared to a Canadian who tried to fight, but appeared helpless. Suffice it to say that Auger-Aliassime’s last victory against Alcaraz dates back to 2022: since then four consecutive successes for the Spaniard, confirmed in Turin with technical and mental dominance. The rival’s performance sounds like a warning for Sinner: if he wants to beat him, he will have to be one hundred percent from every point of view, there is no doubt about this.
The match
The first set is a solo for Alcaraz: three break points already in the second game, in an instant we are 3-1 and the Spaniard coldly erases a timid counter-break chance (straight into the net by the Canadian). The number one serves with precision, controls the exchanges and closes the set 6-2. In the second set the music changes little: high pace, few errors, looks of understanding with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero and a surgical break in the last game, when Auger-Aliassime’s forehand flies into the corridor. The Canadian had no chance to counter, he simply tried to remain as orderly and solid as he could. But it wasn’t enough. The second set therefore ends 6-4, with Alcaraz who can be satisfied with the next performance and focus on the super final tomorrow 16 November.
The challenge everyone was waiting for
For the sixth time this season it will be Sinner against Alcaraza rivalry that is redefining modern tennis and which has experienced its most epic heights this year. From Roland Garros to Wimbledon to the US Open, the two shared the 2025 Slam titles (Australia and Wimbledon to Jannik, Paris and New York to Carlos), with battles that have entered the history of sport.
The Roland Garros final was unforgettablewon by Alcaraz in a comeback in the fifth set after canceling three match points: 4–6, 6–7, 6–4, 7–6, 7–6. Sinner’s revenge at Wimbledon was immediatewith a 4–6, 6–4, 6–4, 6–4 that ended the Spaniard’s hegemony on grass. At the US Open, however, the Spaniard again won 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, with the blue having difficulty on serve (only 48% of first serves). In short, an infinite duel: this year Alcaraz leads 4-1 in head-to-head matches, 10-5 overall at ATP level. It’s good that Sinner has the chance to meet him again in the final: on the one hand he is obviously by far the toughest opponent, on the other Jannik must reverse the negative trend and get used to beating him to win tournaments, in view of 2026.
The double interview on CNN
The climate will be very tense on the pitch, but off it Jannik and Carlos are anything but enemies. In the double interview given to CNN (and which will be broadcast free-to-air on Sunday 16 November at 2.30pm on Nove), the two gave rise to a fun back-and-forthchronicling their rivalry and friendship beyond tennis.
“When we see each other we talk about family and real life, not just tennis,” says Sinner, adding that the relationship “has improved year after year.” Alcaraz he reduces the rivalry to a sporting parenthesis: «Off the field we are completely different people. At the US Open I said that I see him more than my mother”. Sinner laughs: «But we’re happy to see each other». Between jokes about skiing and golf (“I have no hope on skis”, confesses Carlos) and about looks (“This year I’ve restrained myself, only two or three changes”, jokes the Spaniard), the feeling is evident, culminating in the Jannik’s final line: «With black and white hair you can say you support Juventus». Well, it would be a way to ingratiate himself with at least part of the Turin public.
The keys to the final
The indoor surface of the Pala Alpitour is Sinner territory — or rather, «Haus Sinner», as they say in Alto Adige – and the public will be on his side. But Alcaraz arrives after a week of growth and has head-to-head on his side. One certainty: service will be a decisive weapon for Jannik. It will have to be refuge and push, the shot capable of removing him from delicate situations and preventing him from being dragged into the Spaniard’s exhausting exchanges.
With the world record ranking already safely in the Spaniard’s hands, Sinner wants to keep at least the Finals crown to return in 2026 with the awareness of being the strongest on hard court and the tranquility of those who know that Alcaraz is not his bête noire (Roger Federer in the past suffered Nadal also and above all on a mental level).
Tomorrow it will be an all-out battle, Catalan fire against South Tyrolean water. It will certainly be fun. And as Italians, if Sinner wins, we will have even more fun.
