De Minaur lasts one set, Sinner in Atp Finals

And it is the final, the one we have all been waiting for since the beginning of this tournament, in which Jannik is defending champion: the victory over Alex De Minaur, 7-5, 6-2, propels Sinner into the last act of the Atp Finals in Turin. Tonight it will be known against whom: whether world number one Carlos Alcaraz or the Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime (start at 20:30).

The first set was more drawn out than expected, lasting over an hour. The Australian plays deep, does not expose himself to Jannik's pressing as he has done so many other times, has no reverential fears against an opponent who has beaten him 12 times. The match was fought out over long exchanges that showed Alex's resilience, and on 3-all Jannik went on the attack with a long backhand and a beautiful forehand volley, but it was not enough. The world number 7, who qualified by winning only one match (with Taylor Fritz), grinds from the back with the ease of someone who is not favourite and has nothing to lose. Under the eyes of Pierfrancesco Favino and Andrea Di Stefano, interpreter and director of The Master (of tennis, of course), and Ligabue, Sinner's assaults multiplied, and he only broke at the eighth break point, on 5 par. And on the lightning-quick backhand volley that concretised the lead, he raised his fist to his team, his brother Mark, and his fiancée Laila, while the chorus of the Inalpi Arena 'olè olè Sinner Sinner' began. A cheer that gives him a further charge for the second set, and it's a different story: a show of his repertoire is staged, among passers, accelerations, acrobatic answers, aces, counter-attacks (only a short ball goes off at the net), while De Minaur struggles, discouraged, and does what he can. It was 4-0 in less than half an hour, and after one last burst of pride from the Australian, it ended 6-2 in less than two hours. And the Inalpi Arena celebrates and sings.