The four-time grand slam champion from Italy replaced six-time major winner Carlos Alcaraz at the top as he extended his indoor winning streak to 26 matches, following up victory in Vienna last Sunday seven days later with his first Paris title.

The ninth-seeded Auger-Aliassime needed to win the tournament at La Defense Arena on Sunday to clinch the eighth and final spot for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin, Italy. 

“It’s huge, honestly. It was such an intense final here and we both knew what’s on the line,” Sinner said. 

“For him it’s a very tough and difficult spot but from my side I’m extremely happy.”

Sinner beat Auger-Aliassime for the third straight time — including in the semi-finals at this year’s US Open — and now leads the Canadian 3-2 in head-to-head.

“He was serving extremely well,” Sinner said after his 26th straight match win indoors. “You have to use your small chances well.”

Auger-Aliassime is one of the most consistent players indoors but, overall, was unable to trouble Sinner in a one-sided contest which featured the 24-year-old at his clinical best as he won his fifth title of the year and 23rd of his career.

“The past couple of months have been amazing. We tried to work on things, trying to improve as a player and seeing this kind of result makes me extremely happy,” Sinner said. “It has been an amazing year, no matter what comes in Turin.”

AAP