Follow us on Google Discover Felix Auger-Aliassime kept his ATP Finals dreams alive with a comeback win in his third-round match.
For the third time this week, Auger-Aliassime battled back from a set down to win at the Paris Masters.
Trailing Daniel Altmaier by a set to love, the Canadian locked in and won the next two sets 6-3, 6-2, to clinch his spot in the quarterfinals.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
There, he will meet Valentin Vacherot, who beat Cameron Norrie earlier on Thursday.
Speaking to Sky Sports after his third-round win, Auger-Aliassime was asked what he really thinks about the in-form Monegasque star.
Felix Auger-Aliassime says Valentin Vacherot’s rise is a ‘fairytale story’
The world number 10 was full of praise for Vacherot, who has now won 12 consecutive matches at the Masters 1000 level.
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“It’s been incredible what he’s done, it’s a fairytale story,” said Auger-Aliassime.
“But at the same time, you have to look at the facts; you don’t go and win a Masters by bluffing your way through it.
“You have to actually play great tennis and play at a high level, and he’s been doing that.”
Auger-Aliassime proceeded to highlight the areas of Vacherot’s game that have impressed him the most.
“The serve, the backhand is super consistent, he’s patient from the baseline, and he knows when to take his moment, and physically he’s been amazing, rock solid,” he said.
Only time will tell whether Auger-Aliassime can find a way to nullify Vacherot’s ‘rock solid’ physicality when they meet for the first time in the quarterfinals.
Looking to get the crowd on side before their match, Auger-Aliassime wrote the following message on the camera before leaving the court today.
‘Le cousin d’Amerique’
Auger-Aliassime explained the meaning behind the message with a look ahead to his quarterfinal clash with the 26-year-old.
“It was the first thing that came up. I grew up speaking French, and the French Canadians are kind of looked at like the little cousins, so it was a little shoutout to the French people, and being like, we’re connected,” he said.
“I hope I get your support!”
The French crowd may well be split when Auger-Aliassime and Vacherot face off for a place in the Paris Masters semifinals.
Felix Auger-Aliassime reaches third straight Masters 1000 quarterfinal
Having struggled at the Masters 1000 level earlier in the year, Auger-Aliassime has now made three consecutive quarterfinals.
Felix Auger-Aliassime’s 2025 Masters 1000 recordIndian Wells – Lost in 2R to Jenson Brooksby (0-1)Miami Open – Lost in 3R to Lorenzo Musetti (1-1)Monte-Carlo Masters – Lost in 1R to Daniel Altmaier (0-1)Madrid Open – Lost in 2R to Juan Manuel Cerundolo (0-1)Canadian Open – Lost in 2R to Fabian Marozsan (0-1)Cincinnati Open – Lost in QF to Jannik Sinner (3-1)Shanghai Masters – Lost in QF to Arthur Rinderknech (3-1)Paris Masters – QF vs Valentin Vacherot (3-0)Felix Auger-Aliassime’s pre-Cincinnati Open Masters 1000 recordFelix Auger-Aliassime’s post-Cincinnati Open Masters 1000 record
Such a remarkable turnaround has catapulted Auger-Aliassime into ATP Finals contention.
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The Canadian now trails eighth-placed Lorenzo Musetti by just a few hundred points, and could overtake him with a run to the final in Paris.
RankNameCountryPointsStatus1Carlos AlcarazSpain11,050Qualified2Jannik SinnerItaly9,100Qualified3Alexander ZverevGermany4,660Qualified4Novak DjokovicSerbia4,580Qualified5Ben SheltonUSA3,970Qualified6Taylor FritzUSA3,935Qualified7Alex de MinaurAustralia3,935Qualified8Lorenzo MusettiItaly3,685Currently qualifying9Felix Auger-AliassimeCanada3,395Not currently qualifying10Jack DraperGreat Britain2,990InjuredLive ATP Race to Turin
He could still qualify for Turin without reaching the final at the Paris Masters, however, providing he beats Vacherot in the quarters.
With 250 points available next week in Metz, a semifinal in Paris would keep Auger-Aliassime’s ATP Finals hopes alive.
Auger-Aliassime won’t want to distract himself with the numbers, though, especially with Vacherot standing between him and a place in the last four.
The Canadian will take on Vacherot in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Paris Masters on Friday, October 31.