PARIS – Yannick Sinner defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-6 (4) in the Paris Masters final on Sunday to regain the top spot in the men’s tennis rankings.
The four-time Grand Slam champion from Italy followed up last Sunday’s win in Vienna with his first title in Paris, extending his indoor winning streak to 26 games and replacing six-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz at the top.
Ninth seed Auger-Aliassime needed to win the tournament at La Defense Arena to earn the eighth and final spot for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin, Italy.
“Honestly, this was huge. The finals here were very intense and we both knew what was at stake,” Sinner said. “It’s a very tough and difficult place for him, but for me I’m very happy.”
Sinner has won three straight against Auger-Aliassime, including in the semifinals of this year’s US Open, and leads the Canadian with 3 wins and 2 losses in head-to-head matches.
“He was serving very well,” Sinner said. “We have to take advantage of small opportunities.”
Sinner won the first match point with a crisp two-handed backhand down the line, tilting his head back and raising his arms. Then he stroked his heart as he swung his racket at the audience.
“The last few months have been great. We worked hard to improve as players and it’s great to see results like this,” Sinner said. “No matter what happens in Turin, it’s been a great year.”
Auger-Aliassime, who won titles this year in Adelaide, Montpellier and Brussels, received a time violation warning from referee Nacho Forcader when he served at 30-30 in the ninth game of the second set.
