Sinner wins the Paris Masters and returns to world number 1

Sinner also won the Masters Mille in Paris, beating Félix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-6, returning to world number 1 by overtaking Carlos Alcaraz (who surprisingly exited in the first round) and enjoying this success at La Défense, the fifth tournament won in an extraordinary 2025, considering the forced three-month break following the doping affair .

The head-to-head record was 2-2, with the South Tyrolean winning his last two matches in Cincinnati and the US Open. Today, Sinner played a first set in which he never conceded anything to his opponent, who paid the price for the break he suffered at the start and never recovered: Jannik's serve was near perfection (only three points lost), Auger-Aliassime couldn't find any openings, and he also showed signs of weakness on serve (just 57% of first serves). The second set seemed to follow the same pattern, but the Canadian saved two break points in the first game and appeared more relaxed and confident in long rallies. He then maintained his composure on the brink (conceded three break points at 3-all), supported by an increasingly aggressive serve.

The match reached a tiebreak, with the Italian never in danger of losing his serve. An ill-advised forehand down the line from Auger-Aliassime paved the way for Sinner's victory, who took a 5-2 lead and then closed out the match 7-4, on the first match point, with his signature shot: a backhand down the line. Eyes rolling in the air and immense satisfaction for a tournament he's never won before, which will give him a confident start to the ATP Finals.

The Canadian's motivations for this match were unique: he would have secured his spot in Turin, which, however, is not yet a sure thing. Lorenzo Musetti, now his closest rival (after his bitter defeat in Paris to Lorenzo Sonego), will play in Athens and will qualify for the Finals only if he wins the tournament and, at the same time, if the Canadian fails to reach the final in Metz.