Jannik Sinner Makes Feelings Known on Lost Battles Against Félix Auger-Aliassime Ahead of Cincinnati Open Rematch

Jannik Sinner stepped into the spotlight at the 2025 Cincinnati Open with all eyes on the defending champion. But lurking in the quarterfinals is Félix Auger-Aliassime, the one opponent who’s always had his number. Sinner’s never beaten the Canadian, and he knows exactly what’s at stake when they meet on the court, which has given him nightmares before.

What Did Jannik Sinner Say About Facing Félix Auger-Aliassime at the 2025 Cincinnati Open Quarterfinals?
Sinner is the defending champion at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, having won the title in 2024 by defeating Frances Tiafoe in the final. This year, he is the top seed and began his title defense at the ATP Masters 1000 hard court tournament in Ohio in the second round after receiving a first-round bye.

In his opening match, the World No. 1 defeated qualifier Daniel Elahi Galán with a commanding scoreline of 6-1, 6-1. He then advanced to the quarterfinals against Auger-Aliassime by overcoming 30th seed Gabriel Diallo 6-2, 7-6(6) and qualifier Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 7-6(4) in the third and fourth rounds, respectively.

In an interview with Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj ahead of his last-eight clash with Auger-Aliassime in Cincinnati, Sinner was brutally honest about his record against the Canadian. The World No. 1 didn’t try to sugarcoat the reality: he’s never beaten Auger-Aliassime, and he knows exactly why this matchup terrifies other players.

“I never won against Felix. We had a very tough match here. I had a match point. I lost it, but it was a great match. He has huge potential, especially when he’s serving well. This is one surface what suits him very, very well in the games that he plays,” Sinner said.

The defending champion didn’t back down from acknowledging the challenge ahead. Sinner and Auger-Aliassime have met twice on the ATP Tour, with the former World No. 6 emerging victorious in both matches. Their encounters took place in 2022, during the third rounds of the Madrid Open and the Cincinnati Open, where Auger-Aliassime won with scores of 6-1, 6-2 and 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-1, respectively.

The World No.1 stated that he expects his quarterfinal match against Auger-Aliassime to be “very difficult.” However, he is looking forward to the challenge. He also acknowledged that he will need to “raise” his level of play if he hopes to defeat the former World No. 6.

“It’s going to be very difficult, but at the same time, I’m looking forward to this match. I like these challenges. Hopefully I can raise the level, hopefully I can do it because that’s if I want to play even with him, I have to raise my level. Let’s see,” he continued.

Why Does Sinner Consider This His Toughest Quarterfinal Challenge?
Sinner described Auger-Aliassime as a “tough opponent” and reiterated that he is looking forward to the match. The Italian’s respect for his opponent was clear as he reflected on their history and what makes the Canadian so dangerous on this surface.

“Quarterfinals are always a later stage of the tournament. I like to be in that situation. I usually feel quite happy, and I’m looking forward to it. So let’s see what’s coming. But yeah, he’s a very, very tough opponent. As I said, I never won against him. So let’s see what’s coming,” Sinner added.

Auger-Aliassime is seeded 23rd at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, and like Sinner, he began his run in the second round after receiving a first-round bye. En route to the quarterfinals, he defeated Tomás Martín Etcheverry (6-2, 7-6(3)), Arthur Rinderknech (7-6(4), 4-2 retd.), and Benjamin Bonzi (6-4, 6-3).

The winner of the quarterfinal match between Sinner and Auger-Aliassime will advance to face either the seventh seed Holger Rune or qualifier Térence Atmane in the semifinals. For Sinner, breaking through against his Canadian nemesis could be the key to defending his Cincinnati crown.