Aliassime wants to be master: neutralizes Bublik, advances to the final in Paris, and is one step away from the Finals

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Félix Auger-Aliassime is going all out in this end of the season. It didn't matter that he was facing an in-form player like Alexander Bublik, who is threatening to enter the Top 10. The Canadian displayed resilience in the first set and recovered in the second to secure his spot in the final of the Paris Masters 1000 with a 7-6(3), 6-4 victory, just one win away from the ATP Finals.

The ATP Rolex Paris Masters usually brings surprises in most of its editions. Being the last Masters 1000 of the season in an increasingly tight calendar, with some players thinking about vacations and others about the ATP Finals and Davis Cup Finals, led to a semifinal showdown like this: Alexander Bublik against Félix Auger-Aliassime.

How Félix Auger-Aliassime secured his spot in the final of the 2025 ATP Rolex Paris Masters

However, this doesn't mean their achievements have no merit. In fact, both players are in excellent form during this indoor hardcourt swing. Additionally, the match had an extra incentive as both were competing for the last spot in the ATP Finals. The Canadian has the advantage; if he wins the title in Paris, he'll be mathematically qualified for Turin. Otherwise, he will need to participate in the ATP Metz, as planned by Bublik and Daniil Medvedev.

Considering these circumstances and the fact that it was a Masters 1000 semifinal, both players took to the center court at La Défense Arena with caution, relying on their serves, the key weapon for both this week, and offering no chances on return. Consequently, games proceeded swiftly with few exchanges.

No opportunities on the return

Nevertheless, it seemed that Aliassime was the one taking the initiative, hitting more winners and also more unforced errors, but it felt like he had taken a step forward. Meanwhile, Bublik continued to rely on his serve. As the first set reached the decisive moment, the level of equality was high, and Bublik began struggling with his serves. However, his own serve bailed him out, although he sighed in relief after managing to hold, a sign of the tension. With everything so evenly matched and no break points, a tiebreak was the inevitable solution to determine the winner of the first set.

The pattern of the first set repeated in the tiebreak: serve, serve, and more serving. However, when rallies occurred, Aliassime held a slight edge. A crucial mini-break occurred, decisive in favor of the Canadian as it led to him clinching the first set (7-6(3)). Though both players seemed reluctant to lose that set, it appeared as if neither was keen on winning it.

Bublik's demons resurface

Emotions ran high, and for the first time in a while, Bublik openly displayed his feelings on court; his frustration, fear, relief. These emotions were a consequence of his inability to harm Aliassime beyond his serve. In order to reach his first Masters 1000 final and keep his ATP Finals qualification hopes alive, he needed to step up his game, especially on the return. And he did just that, breaking to love in the second game of the second set.

Yet, whenever an opportunity arose to create a gap, his demons reappeared, leading to him losing serve in the following game. This frustration was evident as he slammed his racket five times, a result of the internal pressure he was under. Perhaps releasing all that frustration by breaking the racket allowed him to break Aliassime's serve again, this time confirming it and taking a 4-1 lead.

Even so, the Kazakh remained uncomfortable and conceded his serve. From a first set with no break points to almost consecutive breaks in the second, the prevailing sense in Paris was that Bublik was running out of steam while Aliassime remained strong.

Playing catch-up throughout the second set, the Canadian managed to unsettle Bublik, whose physical and tennis capabilities deserted him at the crucial juncture. Consequently, Aliassime emerged victorious, with a 7-6(3), 6-4 win, securing his second Masters 1000 final, where he awaits Alexander Zverev or Jannik Sinner. Meanwhile, his goal from a few weeks ago is just one win away from being realized: qualifying for his first ATP Finals.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Aliassime quiere ser maestro: neutraliza a Bublik, se mete en la final de París y está a un paso de las Finals