Canadian Star Secures Semifinal Berth in Thrilling Victory
In a high-stakes showdown at the ATP Finals, Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime delivered a stunning performance to defeat two-time champion Alexander Zverev of Germany. The match, which took place on Friday, November 14, 2025 (Saturday, November 15, Philippine Time), saw the eighth-seeded Auger-Aliassime triumph with a score of 6-4, 7-6(4), clinching the final spot in the tournament's semifinals.
Match Breakdown: Composure Under Pressure
Both players entered the court knowing the winner would advance to the last four, but it was Auger-Aliassime who handled the immense pressure with greater composure. He converted his fourth set point to secure the first set and remained steady during a tense second-set tiebreak. The match was a display of grit, highlighted by a moment where Auger-Aliassime stretched for a low sliding backhand, managing to fire a powerful return while maintaining perfect balance on the blue court.
Zverev's frustration became evident as the match progressed. The German committed a total of 27 unforced errors, with a staggering 18 of those coming in the second set alone. He also failed to capitalize on any of his four break point opportunities. The match concluded when a routine return from Zverev found the net, giving Auger-Aliassime two match points. On the very first one, Zverev sent a forehand long, sealing the Canadian's victory.
Road to the Final: A Clash with the World's Best
This historic win sends Felix Auger-Aliassime into the semifinals of the prestigious season-ending championship for the first time in his career. His next challenge is a monumental one: a showdown with the newly crowned year-end World No. 1, Carlos Alcaraz, who swept all of his group matches.
In the other semifinal, defending champion Jannik Sinner will face seventh-seeded Alex de Minaur. Sinner continued his dominant run, completing a sweep of his group with a 6-3, 7-6(3) win over Ben Shelton. Remarkably, the Italian has not dropped a single set or even a service game throughout the entire tournament week.
Reflecting on his achievement, an emotional Auger-Aliassime shared his thoughts. "It feels amazing," he said. "I always believed I could be in these moments and win matches like these, but you still have to come and do it. Today was emotional for both of us, and I played well when I needed to. I'm blessed and very happy to be in the semifinals." He also acknowledged the prestige of the event, noting its history of crowning champions and his readiness to take his chance against the world's best.
