Jannik Sinner 'doesn't want to win like this' as ATP Finals rival causes concern

Jannik Sinner admitted he "didn't want to win like this" after beating an ailing Felix Auger-Aliassime at the ATP Finals. Sinner is the defending champion in Turin, and he's still in contention for the year-end No. 1 ranking - and he boosted his chances by sealing a 7-5 6-1 victory on Monday night.

Auger-Aliassime kept the opening set close, but a leg injury started to bother him as the match went on, and he received a medical timeout in the second set. The Canadian struggled to push off his left leg and hobbled in between points - and his participation for the rest of the week is now in doubt.

For Sinner, it was a great day at the office. The Italian is now on a 27-match winning streak on indoor hard courts, and he got his second win over Auger-Aliassime in eight days, having beaten the world No. 8 in the recent Paris Masters final.

But this contest was very different as Auger-Aliassime was battling a leg injury. The 25-year-old has had issues with his calf in the past, and they came back to haunt him during his opening match at the season-ending championships. Sinner noticed - and admitted it was not the way he wanted to start his own title defence.

"It was a very tough match until the 6-5 [in the first set]. I had some chances to break. He served very, very well. Only once I missed the return, it can happen. But yeah, he played some very aggressive tennis, so I'm happy to overcome a very tough test today," the world No. 2 started.

"Obviously winning the first match is very in this competition, this format, so I'm very happy and now let's see what's coming. I also hope that it's nothing too serious. I wish him obviously a very, very speedy recovery, and we all hope that he is getting back to 100 per cent physically."

Although Sinner could see that the eighth seed was visibly hampered, he still had to take care of business on his side of the court. The four-time Major winner added: "I mean, you still have to be very consistent with a great balance on the court, especially also mentally because it is a bit different.

"But at the same time, it is also an advantage, you have to say that, you have to use it in the right way, even if you don't want to win like this. But if there is a chance, you have to use it. It also changes when you are a set up and you see struggles, it's a bit different.

"He's a huge server, especially indoors, you have to be careful. But as I said, it's not nice, especially Felix had some very tough injuries, so we only wish him only the best."

Auger-Aliassime is still alive at the ATP Finals, as is the nature of the round-robin format. The Canadian still has two group stage matches left to play against Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton if he wants to advance to the semi-finals and beyond, but it remains to be seen whether he's ready to play again on Wednesday and Friday.

There are two alternates in Turin ready to step up for the round-robin matches if Auger-Aliassime or other players withdraw during the group stage. Alexander Bublik is the first alternate, while Casper Ruud flew in last minute to be the second alternate.