This Week in Tennis: Sinner tops Alcaraz to win…

Welcome to This Week in Tennis, where we catch up on all the latest and biggest stories from the ATP and WTA Tours.

Sinner Takes Another Chapter in Rivalry with Alcaraz

Another chapter in the storied rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz is in the books.

At the season-ending event in Turin, the Italian won in front of his home crowd, defeating Alcaraz 7-6(4), 7-5 to win the ATP Finals for the second consecutive time. Sinner became the third man, joining John McEnroe and Boris Becker, as the only men to win multiple ATP Finals on home soil.

Sinner and Alcaraz combined to win all four Grand Slam titles and 14 total titles this season.

“Celebrating this trophy at the end of the year after such an intense last couple of months, there is no better ending," said Sinner. “Playing against Carlos, you have to play at your best. It was a tough match but it means a lot to me ending the season like this. It is amazing."

Sinner finishes the year with a 58-6 record that included championship wins at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, Paris, Beijing, and Vienna.

Despite Sinner’s perfect 5-0 run in Turin, it is Alcaraz who will end the year as the ATP No. 1.

Alcaraz ends 2025 with a 71-9 record and led the ATP with eight titles, including a pair of majors at Roland-Garros and the US Open.

Read also: Rybakina Wins WTA Finals

Auger-Aliassime has strong showing in Turin

Félix Auger-Aliassime had a strong run in Turin after qualifying for the ATP Finals as the eighth seed. The Montreal-native dropped his opening group stage match to Jannik Sinner, but bounced back well with a pair of upset wins over No. 5 Ben Shelton, and No. 3 Alexander Zverev to book his spot in the semifinals.

His run would go no further, as he ran into world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in the semis, falling to the Spaniard in straight sets.

Despite the loss, Auger-Aliassime will jump to a new career-high ranking of No. 5 following his semifinal appearance and strong finish to the year.

“[I feel] back where I belong. Back where I feel like I can play with more consistency. It's great progression I've had this year. I've always believed that since I was a kid, my ambition was to win Grand Slams and be No. 1 in the world,” Auger-Aliassime said after his match with Alcaraz. “I've had ups and downs, but honestly through it all, I always believed I could be there. I still believe today. Now it's a matter of doing the right things to improve.”

After reaching the semifinals at the US Open, the Canadian would end the season with a quarter-final appearance in Shanghai, a title win in Brussels, and a run to the final at the Paris Masters. He finishes his season with three titles (Adelaide, Montpellier, Brussels) and a 50-24 overall record.

Canada Advances to BJK Cup Qualifier

Team Canada advanced to the 2026 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers by defeating Mexico 2-0 in their final tie on Sunday. The singles victories by Carson Branstine and Victoria Mboko clinched Group A for the Canadians, who look to win a second BJK Cup title after winning in 2023.