Felix Auger-Aliassime will face Jannik Sinner for the third time in four months when they play each other in the Paris Masters final.
Sinner, who would regain the world number one spot with victory on Sunday, has played the Canadian at the Cincinnati Open and US Open in 2025.
At the Cincinnati Open, Sinner dominated the matchup, winning their quarter-final contest 6-0, 6-2.
A month later, a rejuvenated Auger-Aliassime reached his first Grand Slam semi-final since the 2021 US Open.
Unfortunately for fans of the Canadian, Sinner again triumphed, winning their contest 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
However, the 25-year-old Canadian had the opportunity to learn some valuable lessons – lessons that he could implement against Sinner in Paris.
Felix Auger-Aliassime saw Sinner ‘doubt’ during US Open semi-final
Felix Auger-Aliassime has been in fine form throughout the last three months: reaching the US Open semi-finals and winning the Brussels Open.
In Paris, Auger-Aliassime defeated Francisco Comesana, Alexandre Muller and Daniel Altmaier to reach the quarter-final stage.
There, Auger-Aliassime knocked out Shanghai Masters champion Valentin Vacherot, comfortably winning the contest 6-2, 6-2.
On Saturday, the Canadian continued his excellent form, defeating Kazakhstani player Alexander Bublik 7-6, 6-4 in the Paris Masters semi-finals.
During his post-match press conference, Auger-Aliassime was asked about potentially facing Jannik Sinner in the final.
One reporter asked: “I would like to go back to the US Open match with Jannik, because sometimes losses are actually a good way to learn lessons.
“I thought that at some points you were dictating the rallies, so didn’t you feel after the match that maybe you were not far from being able to win against him or Alcaraz? Maybe this loss actually helped you in a way.”
Auger-Aliassime replied: “Yes, in a way. Especially in Cincinnati, the loss was very hard. I was far from winning against him. So this time it was much better.
“At one point, I saw him doubt. And I actually, at one point, I nearly had a momentum shift where I could turn the match around in my favor.
“After different reasons, maybe he had a letdown, and the match turned around again. But it was encouraging to see that.
“These players are not unplayable. They are very strong, yes. Sometimes they’re really unplayable. But there’s a way to upset them in a way.”
Sinner has failed to drop a set so far in Paris. He has defeated Zizou Bergs, Francisco Cerundolo, Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev on his way to the final.
Auger-Aliassime’s ATP Finals opportunity
Felix Auger-Aliassime has a golden opportunity awaiting him in the Paris Masters final.
If the Canadian defeats Jannik Sinner in the Paris Masters final, he will secure the final ATP Finals spot ahead of Italian player Lorenzo Musetti.
Musetti was in pole position heading into the final Masters 1000 of the year. However, his loss to Lorenzo Sonego in the round of 32 gave the Canadian the chance to capitalise.
If the Canadian loses the Paris Masters final, the race for the final ATP Finals spot will continue into next week, when the Metz Open and Athens Open take place.
Auger-Aliassime has qualified for the ATP Finals once – in 2022. That year, he failed to advance past the round robin stage.
The Canadian defeated Rafael Nadal, but lost to Casper Ruud and Taylor Fritz.
