World number one Alexander Zverev cruised through his opening match at the season-ending ATP Finals on Sunday, beating Spanish debutant Rafael Jodar 6–4, 6–4.
In the evening, American third seed Ben Shelton beat Frenchman Arthur Fils, seeded seventh, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
Zverev, who won the tournament in 2018 and 2021, needed just one hour and 27 minutes to overcome the season's breakout star.
Ranked 11th in the world, the 20-year-old Jodar is making his debut at the elite eight-player tournament.
Zverev had been eliminated in his opening match at the Paris Masters -- the final Masters 1000 event of the year -- and endured a lacklustre autumn as he blamed mental and physical exhaustion.
However, with 10 aces and a strong return of serve he stifled Jodar, who dropped his serve in the seventh game of the first set and again in the third game of the second.
"It wasn't the perfect match, but I'm happy; it's a great start to the tournament for me," Zverev said.
"With a 6-4, 6-4 win...against a Top 8 player in the world. You take that, for sure. I'm happy with the start, but I know I have to improve still."
In the other match in the John McEnroe group, Shelton secured his first-ever victory at the tournament. His debut appearance in 2025 ended with three defeats.
"It means a lot," Shelton said. "Especially doing it in the first match of the round robin, giving myself a little bit of momentum."
In the first set, Shelton overpowered Fils, the first Frenchman to qualify for the ATP Finals in 10 years.
The 22-year-old Fils then began to extend rallies. He forced his first break point of the match in eighth game and took it. He then saved two break points in the next game to tie the match.
Serving for the match in the final set, Shelton faced two break points but saved them with ferocious aces before pounding his way to the win with booming forehands.
"That was really intense, especially in the first set," Shelton said. "I don't know that I've played that many rallies out there on tour on a court this fast. So it was physical, really physical. A tough contest."
"I was breathing hard after pretty much every point, and I'm excited to get started in a match like that. Everything wasn't perfect, but my overall level was good and I thought it was a great match I will be able to build on this week."
He will face Zverev on Tuesday.
Zverev secured the world number one ranking in early November after winning his first two Grand Slam titles in 2026, but the 29-year-old is not necessarily the favourite in Turin.
Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, ranked third in the world, who plays American Frances Tiafoe on Monday, is considered the favourite following his comeback from a wrist injury with three wins in five tournaments -- Tokyo, Vienna and the Paris Masters.
Italy's Jannik Sinner won the last two editions of the Finals but he has not played since winning Wimbledon in July due to a knee injury.
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