Jannik Sinner does this: maturing them. There is something ruthless in this procedure, which makes those in front of you believe that yes, that it can, that perhaps there is some opportunity. Maybe the day has come, maybe the stars have aligned, and maybe you’ll end up finding some (miraculous) loophole. None of this. Another one on the canvas. Alex de Minaur resists for an hour, until the tension exhausts him and his mind and faith break: break and 7-5. From there, an ordeal for him, exposed to that path that the Italian must resolve: it is not a fox, but a cheetah that gallops until the prey’s strength fails and he gives up the race. The Australian it’s finished.
The number two culminates – 6-2 in the second round, for a final investment of 1h 51m – and after another impeccable performance, without cracks or worries, lands with spread wings and with all its fullness in this Sunday’s final (6pm, Movistar+). Can anyone put an end to that 30-game indoor win streak? Break, break, break. And De Minaur doesn’t know where to go. Keep your visor low and bear the storm, because suddenly the Alpine winds have entered the city and if two days ago there was a very pleasant sun, this Saturday Turin recovers the realistic landscape: fog, sirimiri, little light. The place awaits Carlos Alcaraz or Felix Auger Aliassime (today at 8.30pm).
“Tomorrow will be an important match and, as always, I thank you very much for your support: you are a fantastic audience”, he addresses the stands; “It’s the last tournament of the year and I’m lucky enough to play at home. It’s always very special. I’m very happy to play in Italy”, replies the winner immaculately. He didn’t give up a single set and played a perfect match towards the epilogue of the tournament. It is the third in a row, then it aligns with giants of the caliber of Ivan Lendl (up to eight between 1981 and 1988), Djokovic (five from 2016 to 2016), Roger Federer (as many between 2003 and 2007), Ilie Nastase (four between 1972 and 1975), John McEnroe (three from 1982 to 1988), 84) or Boris Becker—the same ones, 1994-1996—.
Now he continues to make his way, in a big way in this 2025 which is coming to an end and which records in his locker the not inconsiderable figure of five titles and now 57 victories, against Alcaraz’s 70. The Spaniard will finish the course at the top, but he wants one last joy for his body and won’t give up. Compelling reason: no one can beat it. Incontestable. Superior in this terrain which benefits so much from that supersonic ball, flat on the baseline and which there, when it seems like it is about to escape, draws a dry leaf and falls, falling onto the paint. Another show, another artillery. General fear for others when it appeared. And now, who’s stopping him? Only one option left.
De Minaur’s chances are reduced to a minimum as the first set is resolved. Until then, a false balance that ends with the usual coup. On the seventh occasion Sinner scores the goal break and what follows becomes for him a lively, straight, comfortable, comforting parade. De Minaur, after all, was a lucky man. He reached the semi-final after a cookie I don’t agree – Alcaraz’s victory qualified him, just as the Spaniard secured his passage on Thursday thanks to Oceanica’s victory over Taylor Fritz – and raises his arms because there’s nothing to be done. Fall with as much dignity as possible, perhaps. Mix up a couple of games.
Sinner thus continues to make the most of the autumn, which is starting to become a tradition, and aims for the fourth trophy after those won in Beijing, Vienna and Paris. Your year has been amazing. Starred in all the grand finals – those of the big four (two won) and this one in Turin -, he retraces the path once explored by a certain Novak Djokovic, the last tennis player who managed to reach the masters final undefeated, without giving up a set or even a serve. Total version of the Italian, who completed the course opting in his favor for the 39 rounds of service. Along the lines of the Serbian, already figures and more figures when you write about him. Sinner, the most feared here
Jannik Sinner
against
Alex de Minaur
Tax:
