Felix Auger-Aliassime is making quite the statement as the ATP season barrels toward its dramatic conclusion. The 25-year-old Canadian added another glittering trophy to his cabinet on October 20, 2025, by capturing the European Open title in Brussels, defeating Jiri Lehecka in a thrilling three-set final—7-6, 6-7, 6-2. With this victory, Auger-Aliassime not only secured his third title of the year but also his eighth career crown and his second triumph at this very event, having previously lifted the trophy in 2022 after a win over Sebastian Korda. His wife, Nina Ghaibi, was courtside in Brussels, sharing in the moment as the Canadian star’s stock continues to rise.
This win could not have come at a more critical juncture. Auger-Aliassime’s performance in Brussels has catapulted him to ninth place in the fiercely contested PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, now sitting at 3,145 points—just 330 points behind Lorenzo Musetti, who currently holds the coveted eighth spot. According to the ATP, this leap puts Auger-Aliassime within striking distance of qualifying for the prestigious Nitto ATP Finals for the second time, the first being in 2022.
“Congrats bro,” posted Denis Shapovalov on Instagram, a simple yet heartfelt message from one Canadian Davis Cup teammate to another. The camaraderie between these athletes is palpable, and Canadian tennis fans are rightfully buzzing. With Leylah Fernandez also capturing a women’s title in Osaka over the weekend, the nation’s tennis scene is undeniably thriving.
The European Open final itself was a showcase of grit and nerves. Auger-Aliassime edged out Lehecka in a tense opening set tiebreak and, after dropping the second set in another tiebreak, stormed through the decider with a commanding 6-2 finish. This victory not only adds to his growing legacy but also underscores his ability to deliver in high-pressure moments. The Canadian’s journey through the Asian swing was equally impressive, reaching the Shanghai Masters quarterfinals and defeating Musetti along the way before falling to eventual finalist Arthur Rinderknech. Clearly, Auger-Aliassime has been prioritizing big events and delivering when it matters most.
With the ATP calendar winding down, every point is precious. The current standings in the ATP Live Race to Turin as of October 20, 2025, read like a who’s who of men’s tennis: Alexander Zverev sits fourth with 4,280 points, followed by Taylor Fritz (3,835), Ben Shelton (3,720), and Alex de Minaur (3,545). Musetti holds on to eighth place with 3,485 points, while Auger-Aliassime is hot on his heels at 3,155. Jack Draper, Casper Ruud, and Daniil Medvedev round out the top twelve, with Ruud and Medvedev also making significant moves of their own.
Casper Ruud, the 26-year-old Norwegian, is currently 11th in the race with 2,735 points after clinching the title in Stockholm. According to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, Ruud now boasts a 37-14 record for the year. He also made history by becoming the first Norwegian to win the ATP 250 event in Stockholm. Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev, the 2020 Nitto ATP Finals champion, kept his hopes alive by ending an 882-day title drought with a victory in Almaty. Medvedev, now 13th with 2,560 points, defeated Corentin Moutet in the final to improve his Lexus ATP Head2Head series against the Frenchman to 2-1. He’ll be looking to rack up more points at the ATP 500 in Vienna this week, chasing a remarkable seventh consecutive year-end finals qualification.
For Auger-Aliassime, the road to Turin is now a high-stakes sprint. Both he and Musetti are set to compete in separate tournaments this week, which could prove pivotal in the race for the final ATP Finals berth. Musetti faces a stern test against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the opening round of the Vienna Open, while Auger-Aliassime will take on Gabriel Diallo at the Swiss Indoors in Basel. The Canadian’s preference for indoor courts could play to his advantage as the season draws to a close, but nothing is guaranteed. As one source put it, “it’s fair to say that the Italian needs to pull his finger out if he’s to keep hold of the place.”
Auger-Aliassime’s recent form suggests he’s peaking at just the right time. His run in Shanghai, where he ousted Musetti before bowing out to Rinderknech, demonstrated his ability to go toe-to-toe with the world’s best. His win in Brussels was another feather in his cap, and the fact that he has now won the European Open twice only adds to his reputation as a player who thrives in the closing stages of the season.
The race for the Nitto ATP Finals is as intense as ever, with Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic having already secured their spots for the showdown in Turin, scheduled from November 9 to 16 at the Inalpi Arena. The remaining places are up for grabs, and with the points gap so narrow, every match from here on out could be decisive. For Auger-Aliassime, the mission is clear: keep pushing, keep winning, and seize any opportunity to leapfrog Musetti.
Beyond the numbers and statistics, there’s a palpable sense of excitement and urgency. Canadian tennis is enjoying a golden period, with stars emerging on both the men’s and women’s sides. The support from compatriots like Shapovalov is a testament to the tight-knit nature of the Canadian tennis community, and fans will be watching eagerly to see if Auger-Aliassime can pull off one more push to book his ticket to Turin.
As the ATP’s top players scatter across Europe for the final indoor events, the battle lines are drawn. Will Auger-Aliassime’s late-season surge be enough? Will Musetti hold his nerve under pressure? Or will another contender like Ruud or Medvedev mount a last-minute charge? One thing’s for sure: tennis fans won’t want to miss a minute of the action as the race to Turin reaches its climax. For now, all eyes are on Basel and Vienna, where the next chapter in this compelling story will unfold.
The ATP Finals field is nearly set, but the fight for the last few spots is anything but over. The coming weeks promise drama, tension, and—if Auger-Aliassime’s recent performances are anything to go by—plenty of fireworks on the court.