Turin | Sinner and Fritz achieve first victories in the group

On day two of the Nitto ATP Finals, Jannik Sinner, equal defending champion, opened his campaign to retain the trophy by beating Felix Auger Aliassime 7-5 6-1 in his first match of the Bjorn Borg Group.

Obviously winning the first match is very important in this competition and this format. I’m very happy Jannik Sinner

With his one hour and 41 minute victory, the 24-year-old Italian, who did not face a break point, extended his indoor winning streak to 27 matches.

“It was a very tough match until 6-5,” said Sinner. “I had some chances to break. He served very well, only once I missed a return, but it can happen. He played very aggressive tennis, so I am happy that I passed a very tough test today. Obviously winning the first match is very important in this competition and this format. I am very happy.”

At the end of a tense first set, Auger Aliassime apparently injured his ankle in the 12th game when he took a medical timeout and, while fighting bravely, also received treatment on his leg at 0-3 and again at 1-2.

His physical problems clearly affected his performance after a strong start, but hopefully they will not hinder his further involvement in the event.

“I hope it’s nothing serious. I obviously wish him a very speedy recovery and hopefully he’s back to 100 percent physically,” Sinner said.

“You still have to be very consistent, with good balance on the court,” he added when asked how he stacked up against a physically struggling opponent. “It’s a bit different, especially mentally, but at the same time it’s an advantage. You have to say that. You have to use it in the right way, even if you don’t want it to be that way.”

The Canadian was complimentary of his winner, saying: “He’s hard to beat anywhere, especially here. He started great [and] never really looked back. From the first to the last point he was great. The hardest man to beat here.”

(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Earlier in the day, Taylor Fritz in the Jimmy Connors Group had defeated Lorenzo Musetti who had only qualified for the event last Saturday despite losing to Novak Djokovic in the Athens final, after which the Serb withdrew from Turin.

As expected, a fresh Fritz proved to be too much for the Italian, who had little time to prepare for the defeat, after one hour and 42 minutes, 6-3 6-4.