Felix Auger-Aliassime’s Stunning Upset: 5 Takeaways From the Canadian Phenom’s Biggest Win Yet

Félix Auger-Aliassime is back under the spotlight at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, postponing his honeymoon with new wife Nina Ghaibi to chase critical ranking points and a second career berth at the Nitto ATP Finals. The 25-year-old Canadian opens his Asian swing against Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo, just 13 days after exchanging vows in Marrakesh, and insists the wedding glow is fueling—rather than distracting—his late-season surge. A resurgent summer already vaulted Auger-Aliassime back into the Top 20 thanks to a US Open semifinal run and quarterfinals in Montreal and Cincinnati. Now sitting 14th in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race, he can crack the all-important Top 8 if he pushes deep in Shanghai and backs it up in Tokyo and Paris. “I’m completely motivated to finish the season in Turin,” he told reporters on-site. “This part of the calendar has treated me well before, and I feel fresh after the wedding break.” Key storylines to watch in Shanghai • First match vs. Tabilo: Auger-Aliassime leads their head-to-head 1-0 after a straight-sets win in Madrid earlier this year. The left-handed Chilean owns a heavy forehand but struggles to absorb pace on quick hard courts, a surface where the Canadian’s serve-plus-forehand combo thrives. • Indoor swing momentum: Since 2022, Auger-Aliassime is 31-9 on indoor hard courts, collecting titles in Rotterdam, Marseille, Basel and Florence. Shanghai’s new roof and slightly faster Plexipave could replicate those conditions. • Fitness watch: Lower-back spasms forced a Rome withdrawal in May, but his camp reports clean practices in Monaco and Shanghai. Coach Frédéric Fontang emphasized “short, explosive sessions” during the wedding week to maintain conditioning without spoiling the festivities. Why Turin matters Reaching the ATP Finals would cap a renaissance season that began with a sub-.500 record through April. Each Shanghai win is worth 90 points; a semifinal would likely push him past No. 8 Holger Rune in the Live Race. Auger-Aliassime banked valuable experience in Turin two years ago, where he knocked off Rafael Nadal in group play. “I know what the atmosphere is like there,” he said. “It’s addictive.” Personal milestones off court The marriage to long-time partner Ghaibi drew warm messages from peers such as Carlos Alcaraz and Denis Shapovalov on social media. Ghaibi, a Moroccan-Croatian equestrian, is courtside this week before the couple continue their honeymoon in Kyoto if results allow. “It’s our honeymoon here in Shanghai,” Auger-Aliassime joked, echoing the viral quote that trended across tennis channels. Stat pack for searchers • Age: 25 | Ranking: No. 17 | 2025 record: 39-18 • Titles: 1 (Rotterdam) | Grand Slams: US Open SF, Wimbledon QF • Career Shanghai win-loss: 5-2 • Live Race position: 14th (1,925 pts) – 215 pts behind 8th SEO takeaway Fans googling “Felix Auger Aliassime honeymoon,” “Auger Aliassime Shanghai Masters draw,” or “Felix push for ATP Finals” will find a storyline that blends romance and ranking drama. If the Canadian converts this momentum into a Shanghai deep run, expect search interest—and Turin ticket sales—to spike even higher.