Jannik Sinner, the dominant Italian talent, enters Sunday’s Rolex Paris Masters final against Felix Auger-Aliassime with a near-perfect record, but his opponent has confidently declared him “not invincible”. Sinner’s quest for the Paris title comes with the added incentive of reclaiming the World No. 1 ranking from Carlos Alcaraz should he emerge victorious.
Sinner’s Dominant March to the Final
The world number two has showcased formidable form throughout the tournament, culminating in a commanding 6-0, 6-1 semi-final victory over an ailing Alexander Zverev on Saturday. This decisive win, completed in just 61 minutes, extended Sinner’s remarkable indoor hard-court winning streak to 25 matches. He has not dropped a single set en route to his maiden Paris Masters final appearance, further solidifying his status as the tournament favorite.
Sinner’s path through the draw included a straight-sets win over Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals, a match where he conceded only six games (6-3, 6-3). Earlier in the tournament, he also dispatched Francisco Cerundolo 7-5, 6-1 in the quarterfinals. Despite his seemingly effortless progress, Sinner himself had previously admitted to not feeling “fresh fresh” after battling physical struggles during his recent Vienna Open title run.
The ‘Not Invincible’ Challenge from Auger-Aliassime
Despite Sinner’s overwhelming form, Felix Auger-Aliassime, who will challenge him for the trophy, has voiced a belief that the Italian is not unbeatable. “Sinner is not unbeatable. He is very strong, yes. At times, he is unstoppable, but he is not invincible,” Auger-Aliassime stated, drawing confidence from their past encounters. The Canadian notably pushed Sinner to a gripping five-set match in the US Open semi-finals this year, where he “almost achieved a momentum shift”. This experience, despite the loss, appears to have instilled a crucial sense of belief in Auger-Aliassime that he can upset the rhythm of his seemingly unstoppable opponent.
High Stakes for the World No. 1 Ranking
Beyond the Paris Masters title itself, the final holds immense significance for Jannik Sinner’s standing in men’s tennis. A victory on Sunday would see him replace Carlos Alcaraz at the pinnacle of the PIF ATP Rankings, marking a triumphant return to the World No. 1 spot. Sinner previously held the top ranking for 65 consecutive weeks between June 2024 and September 2025 before Alcaraz reclaimed it at the US Open.
This year has already been exceptional for Sinner, who is targeting his fifth title of the season, with reported victories at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and China Open. His consistent performances have seen him reach finals in nine of his eleven tournaments this year, tying Alcaraz for the most Top-10 wins in 2025 with 13.
Auger-Aliassime’s Resurgence and Motivation
Felix Auger-Aliassime enters his second career Masters 1000 final in strong form, having navigated a challenging path to the championship match. He secured his spot by defeating Alexander Bublik in the semi-finals. The Canadian’s current run comes after a period where he has significantly improved his game, with his tennis described as “worthy of a top-10 player” since the US Open. A win in Paris would not only mark his first Masters 1000 title but also secure his place at the prestigious Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.
Their Lexus ATP Head2Head series stands level at 2-2. However, Sinner has claimed the last two encounters, at Cincinnati and the US Open this year. Auger-Aliassime acknowledges Sinner’s current favoritism but remains determined to “play my best tennis and not make silly mistakes”.
A Tactical Battle Awaits
The final is anticipated to be a high-stakes tactical battle. Sinner’s flat, early ball-striking makes him particularly lethal on indoor hard courts. For Auger-Aliassime to succeed, he will need to “step inside the baseline and mix up pace with heavy topspin and slices, using his net skills to shorten the points” to disrupt Sinner’s rhythm. With both players vying for significant milestones, the Rolex Paris Masters final promises an enthralling conclusion to the tournament.
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