PARIS (AP) — Felix Auger-Aliassime reached the Paris Masters final by rallying from 4-1 down in the second set to beat Alexander Bublik 7-6 (3), 6-4 on Saturday.
The ninth-seeded Canadian will face either Jannik Sinner or defending champion Alexander Zverev for the title. Sinner and Zverev were scheduled to play their semifinal later Saturday at the La Défense Arena.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Sinner needs to win the tournament to reclaim the No. 1 ranking from Carlos Alcaraz.
Bublik started the second set strongly but ended it by losing five consecutive games, smashing his racket on the ground after one of them. Serving for the match, Auger-Aliassime began with his 12th ace. A forehand winner at the net gave him a first match point, and he clinched it with another big forehand.
Auger-Aliassime patted his heart and waved to the crowd in celebration.
Auger-Aliassime has earned titles this year in Adelaide, Montpellier, and Brussels and is chasing his ninth career championship.
The No. 13-seeded Bublik was the first Kazakh to reach a Masters semifinal. He lost for the fourth time in six matches to Auger-Aliassime, who remains on track to qualify for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin, Italy. He can secure the eighth and final spot by winning Sunday’s final.
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AP Tennis
