Canadian eyes ATP Finals berth with dominant victory over Lorenzo Musetti
Felix Auger-Aliassime is sending a clear message to the ATP Finals contenders. The Canadian star powered past fellow Turin hopeful Lorenzo Musetti with a commanding 6-4, 6-2 win in the round of 16 at the Shanghai Rolex Masters on Wednesday.
The No. 12 seed has yet to drop a set in his opening three matches and has been broken only once, showcasing a level of consistency and precision reminiscent of his peak indoor performances.
Match dominance defined by precision and poise
From a 2-2 tie in the first set, Auger-Aliassime took control. He capitalized on his second break point with an inside-out forehand winner and denied Musetti three break opportunities, including two outright winners, to consolidate. In the second set, the Canadian closed out the match by winning the final four games, firing 24 winners against just 17 unforced errors while converting 20 of 25 net approaches. Back-to-back aces sealed the deal against the eighth seed.
“I felt like I was playing fast but seeing the game slow,” Auger-Aliassime told ATP Media. “It’s one of those nights. To execute like this on a match court at this stage is very satisfying. It means things are coming along nicely.”
A strong return to form
This tournament marks Auger-Aliassime’s first appearance since reaching his second US Open semifinal and celebrating his marriage to Nina Ghaibi in Morocco. After winning two ATP 250 titles early in 2025, inconsistent results at the first three majors and Masters 1000 events left him at No. 18 in the ATP Finals race.
However, his performance in Shanghai suggests a resurgence. During the 2022 autumn indoor swing, Auger-Aliassime went on a 16-match win streak, claiming three consecutive titles and making his Turin debut. Now, he believes he is in even better form.
“I feel better than my best year in 2022,” he said. “I don’t want to project too far, but I’m in a very good place.”
Eyes on the ATP Finals
A Shanghai title would boost Auger-Aliassime into the ATP Finals top eight, overtaking Musetti. His next challenge comes against Arthur Rinderknech, where another deep run could further shrink his 530-point gap to the Frenchman.
With his career success heavily weighted on indoor hard courts, the Canadian’s momentum in Shanghai makes him a serious contender for a spot in the prestigious Turin eight-man field this November.