Jannik Sinner continues defence of Nitto ATP Finals title with convincing win over Ben Shelton to remain perfect in Turin

Jannik Sinner remains perfect at the 2025 Nitto ATP Finals after continuing his dominance over Ben Shelton.

The Italian raced to a 6-3 7-6(3) success to extend his lead in the head-to-head to 8-1 and make it three wins from three in the round robin.

The defending champion had already qualified as the winner of the Bjorn Borg Group but ensured he is in tip-top shape heading into Saturday’s semi-final with Alex de Minaur courtesy of his 29th victory in a row on an indoor hard court.

Speaking on court following the victory, Sinner said: "When you come here and win all three round-robin matches you have to play some very high level, some great tennis, which I've done.

"I feel like serving very well in important moments has brought me to this point, but again, it was a truly special day playing in front of the home crowd now.

"Against Ben it’s always a big challenge. You have to take the little chances you have. When he gets out with the huge serve, you cannot do a lot, so you have to accept it and never give up. The mental aspect has been good so far, but let’s see what’s coming tomorrow."

On facing De Minaur, he added: "It was one of the best matches I've seen him [de Minaur] play against Taylor [Fritz], so I have to be very careful. He doesn’t have a lot to lose and I have a lot to lose, so it’s going to be very difficult.

"But from my point of view, I'm very happy to be in the semis, a very special occasion for me and hopefully I can show some good tennis."

Shelton’s first appearance at the end-of-season event finishes with him losing all three matches, which means his hopes of concluding the year as the American No.1 have also been dashed.

The 23-year-old got off to a rocky start as he was broken in the first game and, although his proactive net rushing made life tricky, he came up short once again as Sinner broke for a second time on his second set point to seal the opener in 39 minutes.

Shelton took care of business in a serve-dominated second set until the 10th game when he was forced to save match point with some powerhouse forehands and a clutch first serve.

Sinner could not force any more openings but was too solid in the tie-break as he took it 7-3 to conclude the victory on his second match point in one hour and 36 minutes.

There’s no way back for Shelton.

The American blocks away a brilliant volley for 4-2 but Sinner slams a big forehand winner and is dominant at the net to tee up three more match points.

He only needs the first of them here as Shelton booms long to lose the breaker 7-3 and with it the match.

Sinner opens with a hefty serve but doesn’t get the mini break at first as Shelton’s super defensive lob leads to a bounce smash on the baseline that the Italian slaps into the net.

Jannik comes again immediately, however, and this time he belts a backhand down the line to seize the initiative.

Shelton can’t make inroads on the return but gets a huge slice of fortune with a net cord that sees a backhand pass somehow make its way beyond the second seed.

Shelton sticks to basics as he thunders down a run of big first serves to move 40-15 up.

Sinner stays in the hunt with a smart volley but can’t claw back a super 1-2 forehand punch and this second set will go to a breaker.

Jannik doesn’t let the fact he could not convert match point affect him as he guns that big first delivery and crushes away the plus-one forehand to guarantee the minimum of a breaker with a game to love.

Shelton lands a 142 mph serve to shrug off a wayward forehand to open.

The American wobbles again with a backhand long and then offers up match point when he lobs beyond the baseline.

Some crushing blows from the forecourt swat it away despite brilliant Sinner defence and a massive serve and an even better crosscourt forehand keep his hopes alive!

Sinner spews a tough, know volley just wide to feel some early pressure but he targets the Shelton backhand and gets a pair of errors.

A couple of big serves do the rest of the damage as the reigning champion applies the scoreboard pressure.

Sinner has two looks at make-able passes on separate occasions but can’t find his target.

Shelton gratefully pockets the donations and plants down another massive serve to roll through a game to love.

Sinner wallops down a bounce smash and hammers away a trademark forehand to ease into a commanding lead.

It’s been that sort of set with the returner constantly playing catch-up to no avail.

This time the Italian misfires a forehand off the island but quickly sets the record straight with an ace that finishes off the hold to 30.

Shelton zaps a stunning forehand down the line and then catches Sinner out with a clever back-in-behind backhand that forces an error on the stretch.

The American slams down a big serve to lead 40-0 but then earns a gasp of surprise with a horrible double fault that he follows with an even worse forehand shank.

There’s no sting in the tail however as he seizes on a short return and fires away the plus-one forehand to tie the set at three apiece.

The Set 2 serving procession continues as Sinner clouts down his sixth ace of the match to finish off a routine game to 15 with aplomb.

Shelton remains perfect on serve in this second set as he rushes through another blink and you’ll miss it love hold to level in style.

Sinner reaches to his left to cut off a rasping pass with a perfect, angled stun volley.

The defending champion then crushes a crosscourt drive volley to punish his opponent’s dart to the net once more and pop the full stop on a hold to 15.

Shelton puts together his best service game of the match, thundering an ace down the T to polish off a rapid love hold.

Sinner blinks first in a lengthy baseline exchange but slaps down a trio of big serves to quickly remedy the situation.

Shelton produces a bewitching crosscourt re-drop to try and engineer a path to deuce, but Sinner shuts the door when he arrows a backhand pass down the line.

Shelton probes for a 30-0 lead but lashes a backhand just beyond the baseline and it is the catalyst for trouble.

The American drills a poor inside-in forehand into the net and is then undone by a barrage of hefty forehands from Sinner, who helps himself to two set points.

Shelton saves one but snatches at a forehand and crashes it into the net to hand over the opener in 39 minutes.

That’s more like it from the defending champion.

A fifth ace of the day seals a hold to 15 with the minimum of fuss and moves him within a game of taking this opener.

Sinner threatens with a splendid forehand winner but can’t force a break point from Pulp as his backhand on the slide slips into the net.

The Italian then booms a poor forehand low into the net and Shelton remains firmly in the hunt here.

Shelton has deployed the net charge after unloading on second serve returns a few times already today and it’s making Sinner uncomfortable at times.

The tactic leads to a smash to put the American in charge at 15-30 but a booming forehand and clutch serve edge Jannik in front.

Shelton dictates the next rally and pushes the Italian way wide to his right but is unlucky to see his impish drop-shot just clip the tape and refuse to go over.

There’s no doubt Jannik hasn’t got out of first gear here.

The defending champion has that early break and isn’t completely locked-in as he misfires on the return, concluding an easy hold for the American with a poor backhand into the tramlines.