Felix Auger-Aliassime capped off a thrilling week in Brussels by claiming his eighth ATP title and third of the 2025 season, defeating Czech contender Jiri Lehecka 7-6(2), 6-7(6), 6-2 in a dramatic European Open final on Sunday. The Canadian, seeded No. 2, showcased his trademark power and resilience on the indoor hard courts of the ING Arena in Antwerp, overcoming missed opportunities and a determined opponent to lift the trophy after two hours and 34 minutes of high-octane tennis.
It was a contest marked by razor-thin margins and momentum shifts. Both men held their nerve through two tense sets that each came down to tiebreaks. Auger-Aliassime snatched the opener 7-6(2), but Lehecka, the No. 3 seed, mounted a spirited comeback in the second, saving two championship points at 6-4 in the tiebreak before winning 8-6 to force a decider. If you thought the drama was over, think again! The third set saw Auger-Aliassime regroup magnificently, breaking Lehecka twice and sealing the match with a dominant 6-2 finish.
“It’s the final, so we put everything on the line,” Auger-Aliassime said during the post-match ceremony, his relief and joy evident. “I feel like we were both extremely focused from the beginning. It was a high level for two sets, then you don’t know how things can go. But I’m obviously glad.” According to the ATP Tour, the Canadian fired 17 aces, won 79 percent of his first-serve points, and didn’t face a single break point—a testament to his serving prowess under pressure.
The victory in Brussels is especially sweet for the 25-year-old Montreal native. Not only does it mark his eighth career title and his third in 2025—following earlier triumphs in Adelaide and Montpellier—but it’s also his first tournament win as a married man. Auger-Aliassime tied the knot with longtime partner Nina Ghaibi on September 20 in Marrakech, Morocco, a milestone he couldn’t help but reference with a smile. “To my team and family as well, and my wife—first tournament as a married man, so I guess it’s good luck,” he joked to laughter from the crowd. “I have to give you some credit.”
The personal significance of the win was not lost on those close to him either. Nina was present courtside for the final, and the celebrations afterward included a lighthearted moment when Nina’s sister Cilia complimented Félix’s sparkling wedding ring, quipping, “That ring is sparkling…the trophy too.” The family atmosphere added an extra layer of joy to an already memorable occasion.
Auger-Aliassime’s journey to the final was hardly a walk in the park. He overcame Belgian wildcard Raphael Collignon, American qualifier Eliot Spizzirri, and Bosnian veteran Damir Dzumhur in hard-fought matches to reach Sunday’s showdown. Lehecka, for his part, dispatched Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Benjamin Bonzi, and Belgian qualifier Gilles Arnaud Bailly, proving his mettle and earning his place in the championship match.
The Canadian’s win also carries historical weight. He now stands tied with fellow Canadian Milos Raonic for the most singles titles among Canadian men in the Open Era—a remarkable achievement for a player who only recently turned 25. “FAA” is currently ranked No. 13 in the world, but this victory is expected to bump him up a spot, putting him tantalizingly close to the Top 10 once again. It’s a significant boost as the season nears its conclusion and the race to the ATP Finals in Turin intensifies.
Indeed, with this win, Auger-Aliassime jumps to ninth place in the ATP Live Race to Turin, narrowing the gap to eighth-place Lorenzo Musetti to just 330 points. The stakes couldn’t be higher as players jostle for the coveted spots at the year-end championships. Musetti, who was the top seed in Brussels, suffered a surprise quarterfinal exit at the hands of Mpetshi Perricard, opening the door for challengers like Auger-Aliassime to close the gap.
Reflecting on the week, Auger-Aliassime was quick to acknowledge the contributions of his support team and the tournament organizers. “Thank you to Dick and your team, all the volunteers for putting up this event,” he said. “It’s been a few times I’ve played here now, and it’s always a joy to come back to Belgium. First time in Brussels, so that’s great.”
The fans, too, received a heartfelt shoutout. “Thank you all for coming throughout the week,” he continued. “We travel all year as players, and coming back to Belgium—now to Brussels—every year, and seeing the stands almost full every night, it’s really great. That’s why we play. We play for ourselves, but we also play for you—to enjoy playing in front of all of you. So thank you for supporting tennis, thank you for coming in great numbers every year, and I hope to see you again in the years to come.”
Statistically, Auger-Aliassime’s performance was nothing short of impressive. He converted two of six break-point chances and, crucially, did not allow Lehecka a single break-point opportunity. His serving was particularly effective, with 17 aces and just one double fault, while he won 100 percent of his service games and 79 percent of points behind his first serve. In the return game, he managed to win 25 percent of Lehecka’s first-serve points and 49 percent on his second serve, underlining his all-around dominance in the third set.
Looking back on his season, the Canadian’s trajectory has been a rollercoaster. He started the year with a bang, clinching titles in Adelaide and Montpellier, but faced a mid-season slump that raised questions about his form. However, a semifinal run at the US Open and a quarterfinal finish in Shanghai signaled a resurgence, and his Brussels triumph further consolidates his strong indoor form as the season winds down.
For Lehecka, the defeat was a tough pill to swallow, but his performance throughout the week—especially his resilience in the second-set tiebreak—demonstrated why he’s considered one of the ATP’s rising stars. Auger-Aliassime was gracious in victory, praising his opponent as “a class act” and wishing him and his team the best for the rest of the season.
As the curtain falls on another memorable European Open, Auger-Aliassime’s win serves as both a personal milestone and a statement of intent for the closing stretch of the ATP season. With momentum on his side and his eyes set on Turin, the Canadian will surely be one to watch as the race for the year-end finals heats up.
