Jannik Sinner is the world's best player again! The Italian has been the player to beat after the US Open, lifting three titles in the previous weeks and passing Carlos Alcaraz.
The 24-year-old celebrated his first Paris Masters crown on Sunday following a 64, 7-6 victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime in an hour and 52 minutes. Thus, the San Candido native earned his fifth Masters 1000 crown, the first since Shanghai last year.
Sinner has won five ATP titles in 2025, maintaining his chances in the year-end no. 1 battle with Alcaraz. Jannik did not feel at his best physically this week in Paris. However, he bested five rivals in straight sets to lift a trophy in style.
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The four-time Major winner embraced his fifth duel against Felix, who chased his first notable title. The Canadian fought well, losing serve only once at the start of the duel but finishing as the runner-up against an indoor giant.
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Sinner dominated in his service games and gave away ten points in 11 service games! He avoided break points and mounted the pressure on the other side. Auger-Aliassime saved five of six break points and stayed in touch.
He survived two challenging games in the second set to reach a tie break, but the Italian claimed it with a single mini-break that propelled him over the top. The favorite landed 25 winners and 15 unforced errors.
World no. 2 followed the rival's pace in service winners and forged a massive advantage from the baseline. They stayed neck and neck in the quickest exchanges up to four strokes, and Jannik forged a 34-21 advantage in the more advanced ones.
Auger-Aliassime started his second Masters 1000 final with a loose forehand, losing serve in the first game of the duel. The Italian cemented the lead with a service winner in game two.
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Sinner closed the fourth game at love with a forced error and provided a service winner two games later for a 4-2 advantage. Felix served well after that early setback and stayed in touch with a hold at love in game seven.
However, he stood powerless on the return, as Jannik landed an unreturned serve in the next one to move 5-3 in front. World no. 2 served for the opener at 5-4 and fireda forehand winner on a set point, wrapping up the first part of the duel in 44 minutes.
Auger-Aliassime saved two break points in the first game of the second set with powerful serves. They served well in the next five games and locked the result at 3-3.
The Canadian faced the ultimate challenge in game seven. He played against three break points and erased them with fine hitting to remain in contention. Jannik left those chances behind and held at love a few minutes later for 4-4.
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Felix claimed two straight points on the return and reached a deuce, moving two points away from securing the set. However, he missed a forehand and allowed his rival to close the game with a service winner.
They served well in games 11 and 12 to introduce a tie break. Auger-Aliassime missed a backhand in the second point and sprayed a forehand error at 2-2 that would cost him dearly.
World no. 2 claimed two points on serve for a 5-2 lead before his rival reduced the gap. Sinner painted a forehand crosscourt winner for 6-4 and two match points, seizing the first with a backhand down the line winner to celebrate the title.
