Felix Auger-Aliassime’s inspired run at the Rolex Paris Masters ended within a stone’s throw of glory on Sunday as he fell 6-4, 7-6(4) to Jannik Sinner in the final. It was a match marked by close margins – a few loose points, a few blistering serves from his opponent – but also by the Canadian’s re-emergence as a serious contender on the biggest stages.
Despite the defeat, Auger-Aliassime leaves the French capital with a big consolation: his rise to the final has taken him to eighth place in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, strengthening his chances of a second appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals. The 25-year-old has a 160-point lead over ninth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti, who will compete at the ATP 250 in Athens.
“It was difficult for the field to have to reconsider a few points there,” Auger-Aliassime said after their hour and 52-minute final. “If I just have to accept that the match is over and that as long as I am in the match, even if the match point is lower, you feel like you have a chance to come back, then you have confidence.
“But when it’s over you just have to accept that. I wish I had a better start, I wish I hadn’t made those mistakes to start the match, I can’t give that to him at the level he’s playing at. I wish I could have found a way to put more pressure on his serve. But he served great and came up with great serves every time. I have to move on and focus on the positives.”
If the last stitch was sharp, the wider image was clear. Auger-Aliassime’s run through the draw – which included comeback wins in his first three matches – featured confidence, attacking tennis and a renewed sense of belief.
“I had a very nice week, a good week, great tennis, obviously with high stakes and high pressure, and reaching a good level when necessary,” said Auger-Aliassime. “I can also thank the crowd. They supported me all the time. Even today you felt it. They wanted a third set, they wanted more tennis, just like me. They were great all week.”
According to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, Auger-Aliassime boasts a Tour-leading 82 indoor victories this decade. Seven of his eight ATP Tour titles have come under these circumstances, including this year in Marseille and Brussels.
Against Sinner in his second ATP Masters 1000 final, the loss was less about class differences and more about rifts in execution.
“For me it’s not a huge gap. I’m getting closer every match we play against each other,” said Auger-Aliassime, who trails Sinner 2-3 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. “This match was more exciting. At the US Open I managed to win a set and lost the first and fourth in a difficult way.
“But what we saw today was that it was close. It was all about the quality of his serve and the quality of his return. Hats off to him on that point. There’s a part of me that says, ‘There are moments where I could play better’. I’m still a bit sour at some points in the match.”
Auger-Aliassime was quick to recognize the quality of Sinner, who regained the world number 1 position with his victory. The 24-year-old Italian dropped just four of 44 first-time points during the match on his way to his 23rd tour-level title.
The loss may have been painful, but Auger-Aliassime leaves Paris with renewed purpose and in a strong position to qualify for the prestigious season finale. He made his debut in Turin in 2022, when he recorded a victory against Rafael Nadal.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
#AugerAliassime #sees #progress #Sinners #defeat #huge #gap