Félix Auger-Aliassime of Canada narrowly missed claiming the title at the Paris Masters on Sunday. The 25-year-old player 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 failed to convert his break-point opportunity during the match.
Auger-Aliassime, seeded ninth, required a tournament victory to secure the eighth and final spot for the ATP Finals in Turin, Italy. He is currently in a battle with Lorenzo Musetti for the last qualifying spot, with Musetti needing to win the upcoming tournament in Athens to surpass Auger-Aliassime and earn a place in the prestigious event in his home country. Meanwhile, Auger-Aliassime is set to compete 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 hinted at prioritizing major tournaments over other events in his career. Djokovic, who withdrew from the finals last year, is currently competing in Athens. If Djokovic decides to withdraw, both Auger-Aliassime and Musetti would secure spots in the finals. The final qualifier for the event will be determined during the draw on Thursday.
Jannik Sinner, with his recent victory, reclaimed the top ranking in men’s tennis. The 24-year-old claimed his fifth title of the year, showcasing his prowess with six aces in the final match. Sinner has now defeated Auger-Aliassime for the third consecutive time, establishing a 3-2 lead in their head-to-head matchups.
In the women’s doubles group stage of the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski and New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe emerged victorious against Russia’s Diana Shnaider and Mirra Andreeva with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (2). The third-seeded pair managed to break their opponents on three out of eight opportunities, securing a solid win with high first-serve points percentage.
Both Sinner and Dabrowski-Routliffe’s victories showcased their dominance and skill in their respective competitions, highlighting their achievements in the competitive world of professional tennis.