Italian star beats Auger-Aliassime in straight sets to reclaim world number one ranking

Jannik Sinner reclaimed the world number one ranking in emphatic style after defeating Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) to capture his first Paris Masters title. The 24-year-old Italian produced a flawless performance to lift the trophy without dropping a set all week, becoming only the fourth player in the past 35 years to achieve that feat at the tournament.

The victory also extends Sinner’s unbeaten run on indoor hard courts to an extraordinary 26 matches, a streak that dates back to the 2023 Davis Cup Finals. It means he now moves 250 ranking points ahead of Carlos Alcaraz, setting up a thrilling battle for the year-end number one position at the ATP Finals in Turin later this month.

“It’s not only in my hands, but I’m of course happy to be back at number one,” Sinner said after the win. “The goal was to go day by day, trying to maximise my potential, which I have done. Now we recharge and hopefully be as ready as possible for Turin.”

Sinner’s triumph marks another milestone in a remarkable season that has seen him lift five titles, including the Australian Open and Wimbledon. He now holds 23 career titles and has firmly established himself alongside Alcaraz at the top of men’s tennis. The two young stars have dominated the sport, winning each of the last eight Grand Slam tournaments between them and creating a rivalry that looks set to define the next decade.

Their dominance is reflected in the rankings: the gap between second-placed Alcaraz and third-placed Alexander Zverev is now greater than Zverev’s entire points total. For Sinner, the win in Paris not only restores his position as world number one but reinforces his growing reputation as one of the game’s most complete players.

His victory over Auger-Aliassime was built on precision and control. In the first set, Sinner was untouchable on serve, winning 93% of points behind his first delivery and dropping just three points in total across five service games. He dictated rallies from the baseline, winning 17 of 25 extended exchanges and leaving his opponent scrambling to stay in contention.

Auger-Aliassime, who had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the week, raised his level in the second set. He saved multiple break points to stay in front at 4-3 and briefly threatened to force a deciding set. But Sinner’s composure and shot selection held firm. Serving to stay in the set at 4-5, he fought through his first deuce game of the match before levelling, ultimately pushing the set into a tie-break.

The Italian made just three unforced errors in the entire set, and a single mini-break proved decisive. On his first championship point, he sealed the match to lift the Paris Masters’ distinctive tree-shaped trophy for the first time.

The win also adds to Italy’s golden run in tennis this season, with Sinner’s consistency setting a new benchmark. His only major setback came in September, when Alcaraz ended his 65-week reign as world number one by beating him in the US Open final. But in Paris, Sinner’s balance of power and precision was on full display as he dominated every opponent in his path.

In the doubles final, Britain’s Henry Patten and Finland’s Harri Heliovaara claimed their first ATP Masters 1000 title, defeating fellow Brits Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool 6-3, 6-4. “We are two very happy boys,” Patten said afterwards. “Julian and Lloyd are the best pair in the world right now.”

There was also success for British wheelchair tennis star Alfie Hewett, who beat compatriot Gordon Reid 7-5, 6-7 (4-7), 6-0 to win the inaugural wheelchair men’s singles title in Paris — his sixth singles trophy of the year and 70th of his career.

As for Sinner, all eyes now turn to Turin, where the season-ending ATP Finals could decide not only the final title of the year but the player who finishes 2025 as the undisputed world number one.