Jannik Sinner: Carlos Alcaraz 'deserves' No 1 after stellar season - even if it stings

Sinner takes on Alex de Minaur in Saturdayâ™s first semi-final, with the victor set to play the winner of Carlos Alcaraz versus Felix Auger-Aliassime.

The Italian defeated Shelton 6-3 7-6 (7-3) in Turin on Friday to extend his record to 8-1 over the American and finish top of the Bjorn Borg Group with a 3-0 record.

The four-time Grand Slam champion broke Shelton twice in the opening set before winning a competitive second set on a tiebreak.

Sinner and Alcaraz look set to face off in Sunday's final, although the Spaniard has already secured the year-end World No 1 ranking regardless of the outcome.

After beating Alex de Minaur and Taylor Fritz in his opening two matches in Turin, victory over Lorenzo Musetti was enough Alcaraz to confirm his place at the top of the pile for 2025.

Despite a three-month suspension earlier in 2025, the season was a strong one for Sinner, with Grand Slam titles coming at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. The 24-year-old also lifted titles in Beijing, Vienna, and Paris.

However, he was beaten by Alcaraz in both the French Open and US Open finals, and his five titles in 2025 are bettered by the Spaniard's impressive haul of eight trophies.

After his win versus Shelton on Friday, Sinner was asked about Alcaraz sealing the year-end No 1 ranking, and was full of praise for his main rival.

"I'm happy for him, but if I told you I was super happy... I'd be telling a lie!" Sinner joked.

"But he deserves it, he's had an incredible season: he's won two Slams, eight tournaments. He's playing at a very high level, he's competitive on any surface.

"He had the pressure too, he managed it very well, but I'm glad for him. He's a really good guy, he has a great team around him and he's earned these achievements.

"For me, this is motivation for next year. If another player were to end up No 1, I'd always choose him - he deserves it."

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