Ninth-seeded Félix Auger-Aliassime is set to compete against 13th-seeded Alexander Bublik for a place in the finals of the 2025 Paris Masters on Saturday, November 1. After a steady presence in the top-30 for much of the season, Auger-Aliassime has made a remarkable push towards qualifying for the ATP Finals over the past two months, highlighted by a title win in Brussels and a semifinal finish at the US Open.
The 25-year-old Canadian has successfully re-entered the men’s top 10, utilizing his recent successes to carry strong momentum into the Paris Masters. Auger-Aliassime navigated a series of challenging matches, including three consecutive three-setters against Daniel Altmaier, Alexandre Müller, and Francisco Comesana. He showcased his dominance in the quarterfinals with an impressive 6-2, 6-2 victory over Shanghai Masters champion Valentin Vacherot, marking his first semifinal appearance at this indoor hardcourt tournament since 2022.
Bublik is similarly motivated to conclude his year on a high note, also vying for a spot among the top eight players competing in Turin. The World No. 16, who has claimed four titles this year—including Halle, Gstaad, Kitzbühel, and Hangzhou—has found his stride in Paris-Bercy, achieving his first ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal since 2021. He showcased his skill and resilience by claiming victory in his quarterfinal match against sixth-seeded Alex de Minaur, coming back from a set down to win 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-5.
In their head-to-head match-ups, Auger-Aliassime holds a slight advantage over Bublik, leading by a margin of 3-2. The Canadian has performed well against the Kazakh player on hard courts, including a tight contest earlier this year at the Dubai Tennis Championships, where Auger-Aliassime prevailed with a score of 7-6(7), 6-7(4), 6-3.
This upcoming semifinal match promises to be an exciting clash of styles. Auger-Aliassime has displayed remarkable efficacy with his serve, winning over 85% of his first-service points during the tournament, and demonstrated strong return capabilities by converting four of eight break points against Vacherot. Meanwhile, Bublik, known for his unpredictability and powerful serve, won 79.5% of his first-serve points, notably dominating in his match against de Minaur.
While Bublik’s play may be energetically unpredictable, Auger-Aliassime’s consistent shot-making and composure during high-pressure moments give him a significant edge. As both players aspire to solidify their standings in the ATP rankings, all eyes will be on their performance in what is expected to be a thrilling semifinal showdown on Saturday.
Prediction: Felix Auger-Aliassime to win in three sets, showcasing his exceptional skill and tenacity.