Alcaraz-Sinner showdown lights up Finals

World No.1 concedes edge to home hero

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Carlos Alcaraz said on Saturday that Jannik Sinner is the favourite to retain his ATP Finals title at home after the new world No.1 set up a blockbuster finale with his Italian rival in the prestigious season-ending tournament.

Alcaraz cruised past Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-2, 6-4 in Turin to set up the title match with Sinner all tennis fans wanted to see after a series of thrilling battles between the pair this year.

The Spaniard has had the better of his clashes with Sinner 10-5, and has won four of this season’s five meetings which have all come in the final of top-level tournaments.

Alcaraz triumphed in the finals of the US Open and Roland Garros, the latter after roaring back from two sets down. and saving three match points, but lost the Wimbledon final to Sinner.

And he believes that Sinner, a 7-5, 6-2 winner over Alex de Minaur earlier on Saturday, is favourite to lift the trophy in front of his home fans.

“T mean, I’m the No.1... and he's playing the best on indoor court. We're playing in front of his home crowd, so I would say he’s the favourite,” Alcaraz told reporters.