Jannik Sinner on Sunday won the Paris Masters for the first time by beating Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) as the four-time Grand Slam champion reclaimed his position atop the world rankings.
The 24-year-old’s maiden crown in Paris, coupled with incumbent world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain crashing out early in the tournament, sees Sinner return to the pinnacle of men’s tennis.
The Italian first claimed the No. 1 ranking in June last year and held it for 65 weeks until he lost the US Open final to Alcaraz in September.
Photo: EPA
Reclaiming top spot from his rival in Paris would taste even sweeter for Sinner after he went down in a remarkable five-set final to Alcaraz at Roland Garros earlier this season.
“I’m of course happy,” Sinner said. “I knew from the beginning of the week that there is this chance, but ... before the final, before every tournament or before every match, I try to put the best performance I can on the court, and then whatever comes, comes.”
Despite missing three months at the start of this year after twice testing positive for traces of clostebol in March last year, Sinner has now won five titles this season — including the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
However, Sunday’s victory was his first ATP 1000-level title since Shanghai in October last year.
“Every title you have, it’s special on its own. Every one is in different circumstances. Some you feel great throughout the whole week. Some you struggle a little bit more,” Sinner added.
For Canadian ninth seed Auger-Aliassime, defeat at the last hurdle in the French capital prevented him from sewing up his spot at the ATP Finals later this month, but he remains the favorite to claim the eighth and final berth for the season-ending tournament as his run to the final leapfrogged him ahead of Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in the race to Turin, Italy.
“It’s never easy to lose a final, but ... you push me and all other players to improve,” Auger-Aliassime told Sinner.
Despite being unable to add a fourth title to his list of achievements so far this season, the 25-year-old has enjoyed a renaissance and cemented his place back among the world’s top 10.
In menacing form after dropping only one game in his semi-final win against third seed Alexander Zverev on Saturday, Sinner picked up immediately where he left off as he broke Auger-Aliassime in the opening game to seize the advantage.
The Canadian did not allow himself to be cowed by the second seed’s power hitting from the baseline and dug in to force Sinner to serve out the opening set, which he did in typically efficient fashion.
The break point converted by Sinner at the start of the match was the sole one either player managed to fashion in a first set characterized by impeccable serving.
Auger-Aliassime displayed grit to save three break points in the seventh game of the second set as Sinner looked to have finally worn the Montreal native down with the relentless pace and accuracy of his ground strokes.
Leading 5-4, Auger-Aliassime made a sudden charge on Sinner’s serve, taking the game to deuce before an overcooked forehand and a net-cord, which landed on the wrong side of the court, saw the opportunity to force a decider pass him by as the set rumbled toward a tiebreak.
In the tiebreak, Sinner got ahead at 3-2 and never looked back as he raced to the trophy and the top of the world rankings, sealing both with a blistering backhand down the line on his first championship point.
“It was difficult on the court, having to sit there rethinking a few points,” Auger-Aliassime said. “Having to just accept that the match is over. Missing long at deuce at 5-4, it’s unfortunate, but I have to move on and focus on the positive.”
While Auger-Aliassime waits to see if he has done enough to reach the ATP Finals, defending champion Sinner heads into the event knowing the title of year-end No. 1 is up for grabs between him and Alcaraz.
“It’s not only in my hands,” the Italian said. “In Turin ... I just play the best possible tennis I can, and if it’s not gonna be, it’s not gonna be.”
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