Sinner Cruises to Paris Masters Final, Eyes No. 1 Ranking

PARIS — Jannik Sinner dominated Alexander Zverev with a score of 6-0, 6-1 on Saturday, securing his place in the finals of the Paris Masters in just over an hour. This victory puts the Italian tennis star on the brink of reclaiming the world No. 1 ranking.

The four-time Grand Slam champion has a shot at overtaking Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz for the top spot if he wins Sunday’s match against ninth-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime. Auger-Aliassime, who defeated Alexander Bublik in the other semifinal, needs to win the final to secure the final berth in the upcoming ATP Finals in Turin, Italy.

Sinner’s impressive performance extended his indoor winning streak to 25 matches—a record that includes a win over Zverev just last week in Vienna. In their latest showdown, Sinner took command early, racing to a 5-0 lead within 25 minutes and winning an impressive 90% of his first-serve points in the first set.

“Playing against Sascha is always a special occasion,” Sinner noted. While acknowledging Zverev’s struggles, he expressed hope for his rival’s recovery before the ATP Finals. Zverev appeared fatigued, standing with his hands on his knees, and could manage only 47% of first-serve points won.

Auger-Aliassime expressed excitement about his final matchup against Sinner, reflecting on their previous meetings. “We have had good matches in the past,” he said, emphasizing the tactical discipline required to compete against Sinner’s aggressive style.

Both players have seen success this season, with Auger-Aliassime aiming for his fourth title of the year after victories in Adelaide, Montpellier, and Brussels. Meanwhile, Sinner seeks his fifth title and the 23rd of his career.

The final will not only determine the tournament champion but could also reshape the ATP rankings, making it a high-stakes showdown for both athletes.