At mid-morning, the proclamations and firecrackers of the demonstrators ring out among the porticoes as they walk along Corso Filippo Turati in Turin, shouting: “Pa-les-tina!”. At midday it smells of gunpowder even in the futuristic pavilion, where Jannik Sinner’s racket emits its characteristic crackle: a delight. From the point of view of the line, the Italian closes an impeccable week so far; With 6-3 and 7-6(3) the strong hitter Ben Shelton closes the group stage undefeated and without giving up a single set. He has 29 consecutive indoors, which equals the sequence signed by Roger Federer between 2010 and 2012. This Saturday (2.30pm, Movistar+) he will face Alex de Miñaur in the first round of the semi-finals.
Sinner defends the title he won a year ago and, finally, was unable to beat Alcaraz in the fabulous fight that has seen both of them engaged since January. The one from San Cándido (24 years old) triumphed at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, while the Spaniard at Roland Garros and the US Open in New York. In any case, the local tennis player is anxiously awaiting the final phase of this tournament, taking into account the wave he is riding on and that a hypothetical victory on Sunday could leave a magnificent taste in his mouth. He will not compete in the Davis Cup to recharge his batteries and get to 2026 as quickly as possible, but first complete the mission in Turin day by day.
Alcaraz, yes, he is unattainable. Before jumping onto the field to perform for Shelton, he expresses himself. “He deserves it because he has had an incredible season. I am happy for him. He has won two major tournaments and eight tournaments, an impressive number. He is playing at a very high level. He is competitive on all surfaces and plays very aggressively. He was under pressure and handled the situation very well. I am happy for him, although if I said I was happy, I would be lying”, transmits the world number two, who will start next year with “the motivation” to regain control of the circuit. The Spaniard will travel to the antipodes with the number 1 on his shoulders and, depending on what happens in the next few days, perhaps with a bigger loot.
For now, Felix Auger-Aliassime, a Guadianesque and disconcerting competitor, awaits him in the semi-final. It comes and goes. With the ability to go far, it has not finished exploding, as if playing in chains. However, in these days when petrol is scarce everywhere, the tone seems good, or at least enough to eliminate a bearish Zverev who raised the white flag before the summer. Emotionally and physically exhausted, the German, winner of the masters in 2018 and 2021, says goodbye: 6-4 and 7-6(4), after 2h07m. “I feel lucky”, Auger-Aliassime dedicated to the public. You will need it. Even the face to face with Alcaraz, but deceptive: 4-3. Four consecutive victories for Murcian.
