World number one Alcaraz eased to a 6-2, 6-4 win over Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semi-finals, while Sinner outclassed Australia’s Alex de Minaur 7-5, 6-2 in the other semi-final. Alcaraz hopes to cap his season by securing a personal-best ninth title – and his first at the season finale – just three days after clinching the ATP year-end number one ranking for the second time. 

But the 22-year-old knows he faces a formidable challenge.

“It is great facing Jannik,” he said. “If it were someone else, I wouldn’t mind, to be honest, but it is great … I have to play my plan A if I want to beat him, if I want to win the tournament. 

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and Italy’s Jannik Sinner will meet in the highly anticipated title decider of the ATP Finals in Turin. Photo: ATP Tour

“We will both raise our levels to the top, which is great for the fans and the crowd.”

Sinner, who briefly held the world number one ranking earlier this month after winning the Rolex Paris Masters, is aiming to become an undefeated champion for the second consecutive year. A win on Sunday would mark his 10th straight victory in Turin and extend his indoor winning streak to 31 matches.

At 24, Sinner is the youngest player to reach three consecutive ATP Finals title matches since Lleyton Hewitt, who achieved the feat at age 23 in 2004. Having held all 40 of his service games this week, Sinner joins Novak Djokovic (2018) as the only player to reach the final without being broken since records began in 1991.

Italy’s Jannik Sinner. Photo: Reuters

Speaking after his semi-final win, Sinner remained grounded about his prospects. “Honestly, every match-up with Alcaraz is different. We saw it in Rome and Paris; even if it’s the same surface, it can change,” he said.

“Another final … it has been an amazing year for me. I’m looking forward to tomorrow, also to see where my level really is, but at the same time, it’s great before the off-season to have this match-up.”

The final begins at 19:00.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger mvh