Felix Auger-Aliassime and Leylah Fernandez Lift Trophies on Foreign Soil - Capping off Successful Weekend
Auger-Aliassime Captures 8th Career Title in Belgium, Matches Raonic’s Mark
Felix Auger-Aliassime earned his second career Championship victory at the European Open in Belgium on Sunday - and his 8th title all-time - tying him with Milos Raonic for the most singles titles by a Canadian. At just 25 years old, and newly married, Auger-Aliassime is making a strong push for the year-end ATP Finals in Turin, Italy as this win in Brussels brings him one step closer to his 2025 season end goal.
Auger-Aliassime has enjoyed a strong 2025, reaching at least a quarter-final appearance or better in his last four tournaments, including two Masters 1000 events and a semi-final appearance at the US Open in early September. His week in Belgium didn’t start perfectly, as he narrowly edged out Bosnian Damir Dzumhur in a tight three-set battle in his opening round match. The Canadian showed visible signs of frustration and emotion throughout the match - something we don’t often see from the usually calm and composed Canadian No. 1. That tough opening round match seemed to spark a turnaround to Felix’s game as he cruised through the following rounds with ease and went onto the final, where he defeated Czech Jiri Lehecka in three sets: 7-6(2), 6-7(6), 6-2.
With this title, Auger-Aliassime now sits just outside the Top 8 cutoff for ATP Finals qualification. With the indoor hard-court season just beginning – and his most successful tournament; the Swiss Indoors around the corner and then the Paris Masters to follow immediately after – Felix will be determined to deliver strong results and maximize his opportunity to qualify for the season-ending event for the second time in his career, and first time since 2022.
Fernandez Captures Japan Open Title, Regains Top Canadian Spot on WTA Tour
Felix Auger-Aliassime wasn’t the only Canadian celebrating success this past weekend. Leylah Fernandez captured her second title of the season, winning the WTA 250 Japan Open in Osaka. Fernandez defeated 18-year-old rising star Tereza Valentova from Czechia in three sets 6-0, 5-7, 6-3. She dropped only a single set across the span of five matches on her way to lifting the title.
Fernandez not only claimed a trophy but also regained her position as Canada’s No. 1 on the WTA rankings, slightly edging Victoria Mboko by a few points. Both Fernandez and Mboko will compete at this week's Tokyo Open – also held in Japan – where they’ll have a chance to battle for position as the season winds down in less than a month. Originally, the two were slated to face each other in the opening round of the tournament, but a late withdrawal moved Mboko to a seeded position. Meaning Mboko will now take on other fellow Canadian Bianca Andreescu in the main draw while Fernandez takes on Maria Sakkari of Greece.
Despite early-season struggles – and growing calls from fans online pleading for a coaching change – the 23-year-old Fernandez has stayed persistent and focused on making it work, leading to a strong resurgence and success in the latter half of 2025. She’ll look to continue that momentum in a few weeks when Fernandez plays in Hong Kong, where she claimed the title in 2023.
young Canadian Duo Shine in Tampico: Cross Wins Doubles, Brace Finishes Runner-Up
20-year-old Canadian Kayla Cross also joined the weekend celebration, winning the doubles titles at the WTA 125K Challenger event in Tampico, Mexico, with partner Amelia Rajecki. This marks Cross’s biggest tournament level victory to date in either singles or doubles. While still seeking that breakthrough in singles, Cross has enjoyed significant success in doubles throughout her career, previously winning nine ITF doubles titles before her triumph on Sunday.
Other notable Canadian results came from Tampico as well. 20-year-old LSU Sophomore Cadence Brace, who was competing in her first WTA 125K main draw event, reached the final before falling to Hanne Vandewinkel of Belgium in straight sets 6-4, 6-3.
Meanwhile, Denis Shapovalov – after a tough Asian swing, returned to action at the Stockholm Open in Sweden, where he reached the semifinals and faced off against World No. 11 Casper Ruud but fell in straight sets 6-3, 6-4.
Shapovalov, similar to Auger-Aliassime, will play in the upcoming Swiss Indoors and Paris Masters before likely ending his season as well Gabriel Diallo following suit.
With just a few weeks left in the tennis season, the action around the globe is heating up with numerous Canadians looking to end their 2025 on a high note across the ATP, WTA, Challengers and ITF.
