\n<\/p>\n
Sinner has been the dominant force on indoor hard courts, with this his 27th victory in a row on the surface.<\/p>\n
His serve was superb in a high-quality first set. He won 24 of 27 first-serve points, did not lose a single point behind his first serve and did not face a break point.<\/p>\n
Auger-Aliassime took a set off Sinner during his run to the US Open final and hit hard from the off, rushing Sinner and occasionally matching him shot-for-shot.<\/p>\n
But the injury at 6-5 30-0 up had an immediate impact, with Auger-Aliassime struggling to move and sending his shots long as he tried to hit his way out of trouble.<\/p>\n
Sinner, who was taken to deuce just once in 10 service games, did not let up and sealed victory with an ace before being serenaded by his home crowd.<\/p>\n
He and rival Alcaraz are in contention for the year-end number one ranking in Turin.<\/p>\n
Sinner must defend his title – and hope Alcaraz loses a group match and does not reach the final – to retain the top ranking.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz, in the opposite group to Sinner, began his campaign with a straight-set win over Alex de Minaur on Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n