What Felix Auger-Aliassime must now do to make the ATP Finals after his win in Brussels

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The stock of Felix Auger-Aliassime is continuing to rise after his win in the European Open final in Brussels.

Auger-Aliassime defeated Jiri Lehecka 7-6, 6-7, 6-2 to take the eighth title of his career, winning the event for the second time after taking down Sebastian Korda in the 2022 final.

The Canadian player enjoyed a decent Asian swing. He reached the Shanghai Masters quarterfinal before losing to eventual finalist Arthur Rinderknech and clearly prioritised that particular event.

Auger-Aliassime defeated Lorenzo Musetti at that event, and after winning in Brussels, he’s further closed the gap on the Italian in the quest to make the ATP Finals in Turin.

• READ MORE: What Felix Auger-Aliassime said about Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic

How Felix Auger-Aliassime can qualify for the ATP Finals

With this win, Auger-Aliassime has now gone into ninth place in the race for a place at the end-of-year event, which takes place in Turin later this year.

The gap between Auger-Aliassime and Musetti is now just 330 points, and it’s fair to say that the Italian needs to pull his finger out if he’s to keep hold of the place.

Auger-Aliassime will fancy his chances on the indoor courts as the season comes to a conclusion, and that might make Musetti feel a little bit nervous.

Ultimately, it’s up to Auger-Aliassime to make up the 330 points and this week things will be very interesting as they’re both playing different events.

Musetti is taking on Stefanos Tsitsipas in the opening round of the Vienna Open, with Auger-Aliassime facing Gabriel Diallo at the Swiss Indoors in Basel.

Denis Shapovalov reacts to Felix Auger-Aliassime victory

Tennis looks to be in a very healthy place in Canada with Leylah Fernandez claiming a win for the women in Osaka over the weekend.

Shapovalov, Auger-Aliassime and Gabriel Diallo are all talented players and after victory was secured for the 25-year-old, Shapovalov reacted on Instagram.

He simply posted: “Congrats bro”, with the two Davis Cup players clearly close off the court, respecting each other in their respective successes.

Now, Auger-Aliassime has one mission between now and the end of the season and it’s to keep pushing Musetti all the way in the quest to make the ATP Finals.