CINCINNATI — World No. 1 Jannik Sinner delivered a masterclass performance on Friday, dismantling Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-0, 6-2 in just 68 minutes to storm into the semi-finals of the Western & Southern Open.
The Italian, who claimed his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open earlier this year, was in ruthless form, winning 88% of his first-serve points and converting five of six break opportunities. Sinner’s dominance was evident from the outset, as he raced through the first set without dropping a game.
A Flawless Start
Sinner wasted no time asserting his authority, breaking Auger-Aliassime in the opening game with a blistering cross-court backhand. The Canadian, who had shown strong form earlier in the tournament, struggled to find any rhythm against Sinner’s relentless baseline aggression. By the end of the first set, Auger-Aliassime had managed just four winners compared to 12 unforced errors.
"I felt great from the beginning," Sinner said in his post-match interview. "I was trying to be very solid, not giving him any free points. When you play against Felix, you know he can hit winners from anywhere, so I wanted to stay focused every single point."
Auger-Aliassime’s Struggles
The Canadian, ranked No. 12 in the world, had no answers for Sinner’s precision and power. Auger-Aliassime’s usually reliable serve faltered, landing just 48% of his first serves, while his forehand—typically a weapon—broke down under pressure. Sinner exploited these weaknesses mercilessly, dictating play with his deep groundstrokes and sharp angles.
Key factors in Sinner’s dominance included:
- Serve efficiency: Sinner won 28 of 32 first-serve points (88%)
- Break point conversion: 5/6 (83%) compared to Auger-Aliassime’s 0/0
- Winners to unforced errors: 22 winners to just 8 errors
Turning Point
The match’s decisive moment came early in the second set when Auger-Aliassime finally held serve to avoid a sixth consecutive break. However, Sinner responded immediately, breaking again in the fifth game with a stunning passing shot, effectively extinguishing any hope of a comeback.
"I tried to stay positive," Auger-Aliassime admitted afterward. "But Jannik was just too good today. He didn’t give me any openings, and when he’s playing like that, it’s tough to find solutions."
Sinner’s Path to the Semis
The 22-year-old Italian has been in imperious form this season, boasting a 47-4 match record in 2024. His Cincinnati campaign has been equally dominant, with straight-sets wins over Matteo Berrettini, Frances Tiafoe, and now Auger-Aliassime. Sinner has yet to drop a set in the tournament.
Next up, he faces either Carlos Alcaraz or Hubert Hurkacz in the semi-finals—a potential blockbuster clash if Alcaraz advances. Sinner leads their head-to-head 5-4, including a thrilling five-set victory at this year’s Australian Open.
Looking Ahead
With the US Open just weeks away, Sinner’s form sends a clear message to his rivals. His ability to dismantle a top-15 player in under 70 minutes underscores his status as the man to beat in men’s tennis.
"I’m just trying to improve every day," Sinner said. "This is a great tournament, and I want to keep this level going into the next match. The semi-finals will be tough no matter who I play, so I need to stay focused."
For Auger-Aliassime, the defeat marks another setback in a season plagued by inconsistency. Despite flashes of brilliance—including a title in Rotterdam—he has struggled to maintain momentum against the tour’s elite. His record against top-5 opponents now stands at 4-21.
Conclusion
Sinner’s demolition of Auger-Aliassime reaffirms his position as the world’s best player. With his blend of power, precision, and tactical intelligence, he appears unstoppable as he eyes a second Masters 1000 title of the year.
As the Cincinnati Open reaches its climax, all eyes will be on whether Sinner can maintain his ruthless efficiency—or if a challenger can finally disrupt his dominance.