Defiance, energy, new heights - Sinner keeps Alcaraz on a leash

A year which belonged to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz had to finish this way.

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Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have won the past eight Grand Slam men's singles titles between them.

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Another pulsating contest between the preeminent pair on the men's tour - this time with the season-ending ATP Finals trophy at stake - was a fitting conclusion.

For the victorious Sinner, the win perhaps mattered that little bit more. The way the mild-mannered Italian collapsed on his back in celebration after championship point seemed to indicate it did.

"I am very happy. It was a tough match, but it means a lot to me ending the season like this," said 24-year-old Sinner.

Not only did the four-time major champion defend the prestigious trophy in front of passionate home support in Turin, concluding a tumultuous season where he won the Australian Open and Wimbledon but spent three months on the sidelines after being banned for failing two doping tests.

The straight-set success also ensured Sinner kept Alcaraz on a leash.

While the rivals have equally shared the four Grand Slam trophies this season, there was a feeling that Alcaraz had started to gain a slight upper hand in a rivalry which has illuminated the sport.

The 22-year-old Spaniard had already clinched the year-end world ranking going into Sunday's final, while a dominant performance in the US Open's showpiece match gave him a 10-5 lead over Sinner in their head-to-head record.