ATP player who Jannik Sinner said had ‘huge potential’ has lost to the world number 101 in his fifth consecutive defeat

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Jannik Sinner had big hopes for this ATP player after competing against him earlier this year.

Sinner has just won the Paris Masters for the first time to win his first ATP 1000 title of the 2025 season.

The Italian had been in two other Masters 1000 finals this year including at the Cincinnati Open, where Sinner retired in the final against Alcaraz.

This followed on from a semifinal against a surprise opponent, who Sinner was full of praise for after their match.

Terence Atmane has now lost five matches in a row after early Metz exit

French ATP player Terence Atmane stunned the likes of Taylor Fritz, Holger Rune and Joao Fonseca to reach the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open as a qualifier back in August.

This incredible run was ended in the semifinals, when Sinner beat Atmane in straight sets.

Despite beating the Frenchman, Sinner was full of praise for Atmane and could sense how talented a player he was.

“He has huge, huge potential, I think we saw this throughout the tournament,” Sinner said after beating Atmane. “I wish him only the best. From my side, I’m very happy to be in the finals again.”

Despite being backed to achieve big things by Sinner, Atmane has only won three of his nine matches since the Cincinnati Open.

This has included another match against the new world number one, with Atmane narrowly losing to Sinner at the China Open.

Once again, there was expectation surrounding Atmane after this match, but he has since gone on a five-match losing streak.

The latest of those defeats for Atmane came at the ATP 250 tournament in Metz, where he was beaten in the first round by his compatriot and then world number 101 Hugo Gaston, 6-4 6-1.

What is already confirmed to happen to Terence Atmane for the first time next year

Atmane’s defeat at the Moselle Open is likely to spell the end of what has been an overall successful season for the 23-year-old.

Before the Cincinnati Open, Atmane had never been ranked inside the top 100, but he is currently the world number 66.

With just 19 ranking points to defend until 2026, Atmane is guaranteed to be ranked high enough to gain direct entry to the Australian Open.

This will be the first time that Atmane will be involved in a Grand Slam main draw via his ranking, having only played at majors before after coming through qualifying or receiving a wildcard.

Atmane’s only previous appearance in the main draw of the Australian Open came in 2024, when he retired from his first round match against Daniil Medvedev.

When the 2026 Australian Open comes around, Atmane will look to win his first ever match in the main draw of a Grand Slam after losing all three of his previous matches.