Alcaraz Launches Year-End No. 1 Pursuit at 2025 ATP Finals in Turin
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The 2025 Nitto ATP Finals commence Sunday in Turin, Italy, with Carlos Alcaraz leading the charge in a compelling battle for the year-end No. 1 ranking. The tournament,featuring the ATP Tour’s elite,will kick off with a dynamic lineup of singles and doubles matches at the Inalpi Arena.
The season finale promises intense competition as players vie for both the prestigious ATP Finals title and the coveted year-end No. 1 distinction. Two singles showdowns and a pair of doubles matches will open the show on Day 1.
Alcaraz and De Minaur Clash in Turin opener
In the Jimmy Connors Group, Carlos Alcaraz will face off against Alex de Minaur.Despite currently ranking No. 2, Alcaraz has a significant possibility to reclaim the top spot, stating, “It’s going to be a real big and significant week.”
Alcaraz enters the match with a dominant 4-0 head-to-head record against De Minaur, having secured victories this season in rotterdam and Barcelona. however, the Australian arrives in Turin with impressive form, boasting the most hard-court wins of any player this season with a 42-14 record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. His 55 overall wins represent a personal best, surpassing his previous high of 48.
“Overall I’m very pleased with the year I’ve had,” De Minaur said. “I think I’ve shown some really good consistency and I’ve been able to play some good tennis on this surface. Now looking towards the competition ahead, I think we’ve got a very tough group. We’re all very capable of playing some good tennis and making life tough for each other.”
De Minaur acknowledges the challenge ahead, recognizing that overcoming Alcaraz will require aggressive play and capitalizing on the Spaniard’s limited match experience since early October.
Zverev and Shelton Set to Battle in Bjorn Borg Group
The evening session on Sunday will feature a clash between Alexander Zverev and debutant Ben Shelton in the Bjorn Borg Group. The stakes are high, as both players are keenly aware of Jannik Sinner’s presence in the group, having recently defeated both competitors.
Zverev, a two-time ATP Finals champion (2018, 2021), holds a 4-0 advantage in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series against Shelton, with the American yet to win a set against the German across all surfaces this season. Zverev’s recent form is strong, highlighted by a runner-up finish in Vienna and a semi-final appearance in Paris, both featuring crucial third-set tie-break victories.
shelton, despite a mid-season setback with a left-shoulder injury that forced a retirement at the US Open, has demonstrated resilience with strong performances in October, culminating in a Turin debut secured with a win against Andrey Rublev. The American is also vying for the title of top American player, having briefly overtaken Fritz in 2024.
Doubles Action Kicks Off Tournament
The Peter Fleming Group will launch the doubles competition. Defending champions Tim Puetz and Kevin Krawietz will face Marcel granollers and Horacio Zeballos, champions this season at Roland garros and the US Open.
Additionally, top seeds Julian Cash and Lloyd glasspool, aiming for their eighth title of the season (including Wimbledon), will take on home favourites Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori. The Italian duo, who reached the Australian Open final and secured four titles this year, will be eager to capitalize on home-court advantage in their second consecutive Turin appearance.
The 2025 Nitto ATP Finals promises a thrilling conclusion to the season, with the world’s best players battling for glory and the ultimate year-end ranking.
