Auger-Aliassime withdraws from Metz ATP250 event, Musetti advances to the final gaining the upper hand

Auger-Aliassime’s withdrawal from the Metz Moselle Open reduces the pressure on Musetti, who is participating in the Zhuhai Championships and battling consecutively for the final ATP Finals berth. His qualification now rests entirely on his own results.

Auger-Aliassime was defeated in a close two-set final against Sinner at the Paris Masters on Sunday. In the first three rounds in Paris, he came back from dropping the first set to win. He withdrew due to a left knee injury.

Auger-Aliassime’s withdrawal puts his second chance to qualify for the ATP Finals, starting Sunday in Turin, at risk. Currently, he ranks eighth on the PIF ATP Turin live leaderboard, holding a 160-point lead over ninth-ranked Musetti. He is nearly assured the final spot in the season-ending tournament. However, if Musetti wins this week’s other ATP250 event in Athens, he will join compatriot Sinner in qualifying for the Turin Finals.

Here’s a detail: Musetti would have earned 165 points by reaching the Metz final, giving him a 5-point lead over Auger-Aliassime. But according to ATP ranking rules, Musetti has played fewer than four ATP500 events this season, resulting in a 50-point deduction. Therefore, his maximum points for reaching the final would be 115. Consequently, Musetti must win the Athens title to surpass Auger-Aliassime and secure the last ATP Finals spot.

Auger-Aliassime’s record this season stands at 48 wins and 22 losses. This marks the second time in his career he has surpassed 40 wins in a single season, second only to his 60 wins in 2022—when he first qualified for the ATP Finals.

Perhaps this explains Auger-Aliassime’s confidence in withdrawing.

[Come see me][Come see me][Give myself a flower][Give myself a flower]

#TennisSpotlight#​#AugerAliassime#​#ATPFinals#​#Musetti#​