Jannik Sinner stuns Carlos Alcaraz by doing the “impossible”
Sinner claims world No. 1 after Paris Masters win, setting up a thrilling showdown with Alcaraz at the ATP Finals.
Jannik Sinner is back on top of the tennis world. The Italian defeated Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime in Sunday’s Paris Masters final, 6-4, 7-6 (5), to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking from Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz just a week before the ATP Finals.
It’s Sinner’s fifth Masters 1000 title and the 23rd championship of his career, placing him one short of Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev (24 each) among active players, though still far behind Novak Djokovic’s staggering 100.
Sinner’s quiet pursuit pays off
“I’m not thinking about No. 1 right now. It’s impossible this year, it’ll be a goal for next season,” Sinner said just last Tuesday before his first match in Paris. His words downplayed the pressure, but deep down, he likely knew it was still within reach.
Everything changed when Alcaraz suffered an unexpected early exit, losing in the second round to Cameron Norrie. That opened the door for Sinner, who seized the opportunity with authority, closing out the week in style to secure the top ranking.
How Alcaraz can end the year as No. 1
The win sets up a compelling finish to the season. The ATP Finals in Turin (Nov. 9–16) will feature Sinner and Alcaraz battling for the year-end No. 1 spot. For Alcaraz, the math is simple: if he wins three matches, he’ll finish the year on top, regardless of what Sinner does.
As for Auger-Aliassime, currently eighth in the Race to Turin, his qualification hopes depend on his own results in Metz and those of Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, ranked ninth and competing in Athens. At worst, the Canadian is guaranteed a spot as an alternate for the elite eight-man event.
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