Canada’s Félix Auger-Aliassime narrowly missed out on claiming the Paris Masters title on Sunday. The 25-year-old athlete from Montreal faced a 6-4, 7-6 (4) defeat against Italy’s Jannik Sinner in the men’s singles final. Despite serving eight aces and committing only two double faults, Auger-Aliassime missed the opportunity to secure a break-point chance during the match.
Auger-Aliassime, seeded ninth, needed a win in the tournament to secure the eighth and final spot for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin, Italy. Currently, Auger-Aliassime and Lorenzo Musetti are in contention for the last spot, with Musetti requiring a victory at a tournament in Athens this week to surpass the Canadian and qualify for the prestigious event in his home country. Auger-Aliassime is set to participate in another ATP 250 tournament in Metz, France, where he will be the top seed.
There is uncertainty surrounding Novak Djokovic’s participation in the finals, as he has indicated a focus on major tournaments in his career. Djokovic, who withdrew from the finals last year, is currently competing in Athens. If Djokovic opts out, both Auger-Aliassime and Musetti would secure spots in the finals. The final qualifier will be determined during the draw on Thursday.
Meanwhile, with his recent win, Sinner reclaimed the top ranking in men’s tennis. The 24-year-old secured his fifth title of the year by defeating Auger-Aliassime, marking his third consecutive victory over the Canadian and leading the head-to-head record 3-2. Sinner’s strong serve performance and strategic play were key factors in his success, as he clinched his 23rd career title.
In a separate event on Sunday, Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski and New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe emerged victorious in the women’s doubles group stage at the WTA Finals in Riyadh. The third-seeded pair defeated Russia’s Diana Shnaider and Mirra Andreeva with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (2), showcasing a strong performance with efficient serving and successful break points.
The competition continues to intensify as players strive to secure their spots in the upcoming prestigious tournaments, making each match a crucial step towards their career goals.