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Merely days prior to the grand finale of the tennis season in Turin, the Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner show had commenced. Although the two opponents are locked in battle to settle the year-end No 1 ranking, rumours swirled that they were arranged to practice with each other. Sure enough, that session they entered the center court in unison and were met with deafening roars from a large crowd.

A Training Match That Gripped the Global Audience

The training match that came next drew similar focus as numerous contests this season. Countless spectators watched live to watch the live stream, and highlights were promptly shared following the event. The scores from training matches typically stay on the practice court, but on this occasion the tennis world quickly learned that the Italian star had concluded the session with a victory by 6-3. They commemorated the moment with a selfie that instantly spread through social media.

"This is their tour currently. Despite the fact that Alcaraz suffered a disappointing result in his opening match at the recent tournament, the streak that has defined this men's tennis year continued with the Italian's following win: whenever the two top players have competed at a event this year, one of them has finished the week with the trophy."

The Big Query: Who Can Stop Them?

Subsequent to much anticipation of anticipation and predictions about supremacy, these displays are reflective of two special players who have rapidly proven themselves as legendary figures at such young ages. But this campaign has also reflected badly on the standard of the other competitors. Before the ATP Finals, the most significant question is if any athlete is truly able of halting the dominant pair.

The Contenders

Currently, their odds are unpromising. According to the world rankings, the German star is the third best player in the world. He also at the moment has a fraction as many ATP points as Alcaraz at the second spot. He remains one of the most successful players to have not yet claimed a major title, but he has been dominated by the leading duo in their most significant matches and the difference only appears to be growing. Following utterly dominated by the Italian in the Australian Open, the German's year has been unimpressive.

Considering he made it to the last four of each slam event this season, the Serbian legend has shown that he is probably the next in line in the world. In theory, his opportunities of beating Sinner and Alcaraz are greater over best of three sets and on indoor courts than in five-set battles, but he is playing in the Athens final and he is has not confirmed if he will compete in the Finals. The five matches in his legs over the last seven days would certainly be an additional hindrance to his prospects for victory in Turin.

There are more doubts across the field. The American star has had an excellent year, embedding himself inside the top five. His psychological fortitude, continued improvement and the well-rounded game he has constructed complemented by his enormous serve is praiseworthy but it is tough not to perceive him as a player who is maximizing all of his capability, as opposed to a player with sufficient scope for growth to narrow the divide to the dominant duo.

Fresh Talent and Veteran Presence

In his debut in the season finale, Ben Shelton is the youngest of the six challengers and perhaps the intriguing newcomer. On one hand, with his devastating delivery, comprehensive offensive style and athleticism, he has great promise. But there are also weaknesses in his play, particularly his backhand stroke and ability to handle serves, that the leading duo have taken advantage of effortlessly.

Alex de Minaur has admirably reached the season-ending tournament for a second instance in his professional life but his game is short on weaponry against the top tier. The final spot in the tournament field will be determined on Saturday. Should Lorenzo Musetti overcome Djokovic to win the Athens ATP 250 event, he would leapfrog the high-performing Canadian star in the ATP race to become the last direct entry.

Notable Absences

Similarly noteworthy as the players in Turin are the absences. The significant difficulties of three former top players, regular high-ranked athletes in the recent past, have done little to bolster the competition. The major physical issues to the British talent, in the heart of a breakthrough year, and Arthur Fils, the immensely talented youngster who seemed to be in the process of a breakthrough year, have diminished the group of contenders. Not a single competitor has made significant strides to stepping up.

The Last Word

Apart from Sinner and Alcaraz, the possibility of claiming this Turin tournament seems highly unlikely. However, in a competition showcasing the top competitors in the world, with the pressure squarely on the backs of the two favourites, all games is an opportunity for the challenger to demonstrate what they are made of. The coming week will show who, should there be any, is prepared to step up.