Jannik Sinner reclaimed the world No. 1 ranking after capturing his first-ever Paris Masters title, defeating Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) in the final on 2 November.
The 24-year-old Italian’s triumph, combined with Carlos Alcaraz’s early exit from the tournament, ensures he will return to the top of the ATP rankings when they are updated on Monday.
Sinner, who first rose to world No. 1 in June last year and held the position for 65 weeks, lost the spot after falling to Alcaraz in the US Open final in September. His latest success comes as sweet revenge, having previously lost to the Spaniard in a thrilling five-set French Open final earlier this season.
Despite serving a three-month suspension at the start of 2025 after testing positive for traces of clostebol, Sinner has enjoyed a remarkable campaign, winning five titles, including the Australian Open and Wimbledon. The Paris Masters crown marks his first Masters 1000 title since Shanghai in October last year.
For ninth seed Auger-Aliassime, the loss denied him a fourth title of the season but lifted him closer to securing the final spot at the ATP Finals in Turin. His run in Paris saw him leapfrog compatriot Lorenzo Musetti in the race to qualify for the year-end tournament.
Sinner continued his dominant form from the semi-finals, where he dropped just one game against Alexander Zverev, by breaking Auger-Aliassime in the very first game. The Canadian held firm thereafter, forcing Sinner to serve out the first set, which the Italian did with precision.
The opening break proved decisive in a set defined by flawless serving. Sinner again threatened early in the second set but was thwarted by Auger-Aliassime’s powerful first serves.
Both players produced clean, attacking tennis, with Auger-Aliassime saving multiple break points in the seventh game. However, Sinner’s relentless pressure eventually told in the tie-break, where he surged ahead 3-2 and never looked back.
