Daijiworld Media Network – Paris
Paris, Nov 2: Under the dazzling lights of La Défense Arena, Italy’s Jannik Sinner and Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime are poised for an electrifying clash on Sunday as they vie for the coveted Rolex Paris Masters title — a duel that could reshape the top of the ATP rankings and define both players’ seasons.
For Sinner, victory would mark his maiden Paris crown and a triumphant return to the World No. 1 spot in the PIF ATP Rankings, reclaiming it from rival Carlos Alcaraz. For Auger-Aliassime, now up to eighth in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin, a win would secure him a ticket to the prestigious Nitto ATP Finals.
The championship battle is scheduled for 3 p.m. CET (9 a.m. ET). The two are level at 2-2 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head record, but Sinner holds the momentum after consecutive wins in Cincinnati and at this year’s US Open. Their New York semi-final was a four-set thriller, where Auger-Aliassime momentarily threatened to turn the match before Sinner’s composure sealed the deal.
“He plays incredible tennis at the moment and has improved a lot, especially in the past months,” Sinner said ahead of the final. “I’m very happy for Felix — he’s one of the nicest guys on Tour. It’s going to be a great match.”
Sinner enters the final on a staggering 25-match indoor winning streak, stretching back to the 2023 Davis Cup Finals. His crisp, flat groundstrokes have made him nearly unbeatable on fast indoor courts. In contrast, Auger-Aliassime’s route to the final has been a tale of resilience — fighting back from a set down in three matches before powering through to his second Masters 1000 final.
“This season has been about rediscovering my rhythm and confidence,” said the Canadian, who has claimed three ATP titles this year. “These players are very strong, but not unplayable. You just have to find a way to unsettle them.”
For Sinner, Sunday’s match offers redemption. Despite a stellar 2025 season — reaching nine finals from 11 tournaments — he has endured heartbreaks, including a crushing Roland Garros defeat to Alcaraz and losing his 65-week reign as World No. 1. Yet, in Paris, he has been ruthless, conceding only 19 games across four matches to reach his ninth Masters 1000 final.
As La Défense Arena prepares to host its first-ever Paris Masters final, fans can expect an enthralling battle — one between a player chasing reaffirmation of his supremacy, and another determined to script a comeback worthy of the grand stage.