Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates after winning against Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime during their tennis match of the ATP World Tour Finals, in Turin, Italy, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

TURIN, Italy — Jannik Sinner got his title defense at the ATP Finals off to a solid start before his home fans with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Sinner needs to win the season-ending event for the top eight players and hope that Carlos Alcaraz doesn’t reach the final to claim the year-ending No. 1 ranking.

The eighth-ranked Auger-Aliassime appeared slowed by a left calf issue and was twice treated by a trainer during the second set. Last year’s finalist Taylor Fritz beat late entry Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 6-4 .

Musetti was a late replacement for Novak Djokovic. The Serb withdrew with an injured shoulder after beating the Italian in the Athens final on Saturday.

PGA Tour back in Asheville

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The PGA Tour is returning to Asheville, North Carolina, for the first time in 86 years.

It announced a four-year deal with the Biltmore Estate and Explore Asheville sharing duties as the title sponsor. The Biltmore Championship will be the third week in September 2026 at The Cliff at Walnut Cove. It adds to the growing part of the FedEx Cup Fall.

The tour already has announced a new event in Austin, Texas. Asheville has history on the PGA Tour. It held the Land of Sky Open from 1939 through 1942. Ben Hogan won the last three times.

The LPGA Tour played in Asheville from 1957 through 1960.