TURIN, Italy , 16 November (H.S.): World number one Carlos Alcaraz and home favorite Jannik Sinner are set to collide in a highly anticipated championship match at the ATP Finals on Sunday. Both players advanced to the final after securing dominant straight-set victories in the semi-finals on Saturday, setting up a fitting conclusion to a season they have overwhelmingly dominated.

The final will be the sixth meeting of 2025 between the two rivals, who have captured all four Grand Slam titles between them for the second consecutive season. Alcaraz and Sinner have contested five finals this year, with the Spaniard emerging victorious in four, including at the US Open and a memorable five-set epic at Roland Garros.

On Saturday, Alcaraz delivered a masterful performance to defeat Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-2, 6-4, reaching his first final in Turin. The Spaniard was in formidable form, hitting 25 winners and committing only 10 unforced errors in what he described as his best match of the tournament.

Defending champion Sinner overcame a spirited challenge from Australia's Alex de Minaur, winning 7-5, 6-2 to the delight of the Italian crowd. The victory extended Sinner's impressive winning streak on indoor hard courts to 31 matches, and he has yet to drop a set or have his serve broken in this year's tournament.

While Alcaraz holds a 10-5 career lead over Sinner, he anticipates a hostile atmosphere, joking that he hopes at least three or four people are cheering for me against the Italian favorite. The showdown promises to be a thrilling finale to the 2025 tennis season, pitting the year-end number one against the reigning champion on his home turf.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar