Montreal's Félix Auger-Aliassime has achieved a career milestone by breaking into the world's top five tennis rankings following his impressive performance at the ATP Finals in Turin. The Quebec-born athlete secured his spot in the semifinals after defeating Germany's Alexander Zverev in straight sets on Friday.
Remarkable Season Turnaround
Auger-Aliassime's journey to the top five represents an incredible comeback story. He began the 2025 season ranked 29th in the world, making his ascent to number five particularly impressive. The Montreal native demonstrated resilience throughout the ATP Finals, bouncing back from early setbacks to secure his place in the tournament's final four.
Victory Over Zverev
In his crucial group-stage match, Auger-Aliassime delivered a commanding performance against Alexander Zverev, winning 6-4, 7-6 (4). The match lasted just over two hours and showcased the Canadian's growing confidence and skill on the international stage. This marks the second time this year that Auger-Aliassime has defeated the German tennis star, having previously bested him at the U.S. Open.
The victory was particularly significant as it represented Auger-Aliassime's 50th tour-level win of the season, cementing his return to elite tennis competition. His performance in the second set demonstrated mental toughness, as he maintained focus despite missing several opportunities to close out the match earlier.
Road to Semifinals
Auger-Aliassime's path to the semifinals wasn't without challenges. After losing his first three sets of the tournament, including a straight-sets defeat to world number one Jannik Sinner, the Montreal athlete staged an impressive turnaround. His determination shone through in a gritty victory over Ben Shelton before his decisive win against Zverev secured his second-place position in the group.
Following his qualification for the semifinals, Auger-Aliassime expressed both excitement and determination. "It's like a grand finale and when you look at the list of champions, there have been many No. 1s. You want to be in the final, but I'll have to go through a great player to do that. I will take my chance if I have it," he stated after the match.
Career Resurgence
This achievement marks the highest ranking of Auger-Aliassime's career, surpassing his previous best of number six in 2022. His current success is especially meaningful given his struggles with injuries and inconsistent performance that caused his ranking to drop in previous seasons.
The 2025 season has proven to be a remarkable resurgence for the Canadian tennis star, demonstrating his ability to overcome adversity and compete at the highest level of professional tennis.
In Saturday's semifinals, Auger-Aliassime will face world number two Carlos Alcaraz, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting match between two of tennis's brightest young stars.
