It wasn’t to be for Felix Auger-Aliassime at the Paris Masters as he succumbed to defeat to the juggernaut that is Jannik Sinner.
Auger-Aliassime was beaten in straight sets in the final after setting up the match by beating Alexander Bublik on Saturday.
After beating him in the final. Auger-Aliassime has been the subject of a prediction from Sinner, and it’s clear that the Italian rates him highly.
Sinner also suggested what Auger-Aliassime did really well in the final, and there will perhaps be a tinge of regret from the Canadian when the dust settles on this defeat.
Auger-Aliassime has pinpointed the one area of the final that he will look back on with some negativity, despite there being absolutely no shame in losing to Sinner.
What Felix Auger-Aliassime regretted during Jannik Sinner final
Auger-Aliassime deserves immense praise for his form on the indoor swing, and it would cap a fine 2025 if he could now do well in Metz and keep his place in the ATP Finals.
Auger-Aliassime does have some regrets from the final, however, and will look back on something that he wasn’t able to get completely right against Sinner.
He said in his press conference: “Yeah, it was difficult on the court, you know, having to sit there rethinking a few points. Yeah, having to just accept that the match is over and that once – as long as I’m in the match, even match point down, you feel you have a chance to come back, you have belief. But when it’s over, you just have to accept that, okay, I wish I had a better start, I wish I didn’t make those mistakes to start the match with, I can’t give him that at the level he plays.
“I wish I had been able to find a way to put more pressure on his serve. But he was serving great, coming up with great serves every time. Then yeah, kind of like forehand, missing long at deuce at 5-4.
“It’s unfortunate, but, you know, I have to move on and focus on the positive, yeah.”
What Felix Auger-Aliassime said about the Paris Masters crowd
It’s a shame for Auger-Aliassime that he couldn’t get over the line and win the tournament, but he will take a lot from this latest experience of playing Sinner.
The crowd were brilliant throughout the week, with a number of matches being played in front of packed-out audiences who were entertained from start to finish.
Auger-Aliassime was quizzed on what he thought of the crowd and he had a firm message to the fans who came out to cheer him on at the tournament.
“Yeah, it was not an easy start of the week, but it got better and better. I think today was a great match. Regardless of the result, I think both players were giving everything and, you know, playing some of their best tennis. My last two matches were great, as well, with the wins.
“I had a really fun week, good week, great tennis, obviously with high stakes and high pressure, coming up with a good level when I needed to.
“I can thank the crowd, as well. Like you said, all the way through they were supporting me. Even today you felt that, yes, they wanted a third set, they wanted more tennis, as I wanted. They were great all week.
Auger-Aliassime will now head to play at the Moselle Open this week and he will start off as the number one seed in that particular tournament.
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