Sinner, who has already clinched ATP Year-End No. 1, will have to battle through round-robin play for the chance to renew his rivalry with Alcaraz in Turin.

He was late to the tennis scene in France, but Gilles Cervara made up for lost time in a major way.

The 2023 runner-up broke on the final point of Wednesday's match to advance, 6-7 (9), 6-3, 7-5.