PARIS – Jannik Sinner reclaimed the No. 1 ranking in men’s tennis after beating Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-6 (4) in the final of the Paris Masters on Sunday.
Italy’s four-time Grand Slam champion replaces six-time major winner Carlos Alcaraz at the top as he extended his indoor winning streak to 26 matches after triumphing in Vienna last Sunday with his first Parisian title.
Ninth-seeded Auger-Aliassime needed to win the tournament at La Défense Arena to clinch the eighth and final spot for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin, Italy.
“It’s huge, honestly. It was such an intense final here and we both knew what was at stake,” Sinner said. “For him it is a very tough and difficult place, but for my part I am very happy.”
Sinner defeated Auger-Aliassime for the third time in a row – including in the semi-finals of this year’s US Open – and now leads the Canadian 3-2 head-to-head.
“He served extremely well,” Sinner said. “You have to make good use of your small opportunities.”
Sinner won on his first match point with a sharp two-handed backhand down the line, tilting his head back and raising his arms. He then tapped his heart as he waved his racket at the crowd.
“The last few months have been great. We’ve been trying to work on things, improve as players, and seeing results like this makes me extremely happy,” Sinner said. “It’s been a great year, whatever happens in Turin.”
Auger-Aliassime, who has won titles in Adelaide, Montpellier and Brussels this year, was given a time violation warning by chair umpire Nacho Forcadell when serving at 30-30 in the ninth game of the second set.
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