Jannik Sinner avoids rival Carlos Alcaraz in ATP Finals groups
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Sinner (left) avoided key rival Alcaraz in the ATP Finals group draw. Alcaraz was drawn with Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev and Andrey Rublev.
PHOTO: REUTERS
ROME - Jannik Sinner avoided his key rival Carlos Alcaraz in the ATP Finals group draw on Nov 7, as the Italian aims for his first title at the season-ending event on home soil.
World number one Sinner was drawn in the Ilie Nastase Group with Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur at the tournament in Turin, which starts on Nov 10.
Reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Alcaraz, ranked three in the world, was drawn in the John Newcombe Group with Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev.
The top two players in each group will qualify for the semi-finals.
Sinner will face tournament debutant De Minaur on the night of Nov 10, after 2020 champion Medvedev kicks off the singles against American Fritz.
Alcaraz will open his bid for a first Finals title on Nov 11, against Casper Ruud before Alexander Zverev faces Andrey Rublev.
Sinner, who lost 2023’s final to Novak Djokovic, tops the world rankings after a stunning season in which he claimed the Australian and US Opens - his first Grand Slam victories - and won five more ATP titles.
However, he has been dogged by controversy after twice testing positive
He was initially cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency but at the end of September the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed, seeking a ban of up to two years. AFP
ATP Finals group stage draw:
Ilie Nastase Group: Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur
John Newcombe Group: Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev
