Felix Auger-Aliassime is timing his comeback perfectly in New York.
The Canadian athlete started strong at Flushing Meadows, winning decisively against Billy Harris and Roman Safiullin to reach the US Open third round.
In a surprising turn, Auger-Aliassime defeated Alexander Zverev in four sets, marking one of the most significant victories of his Grand Slam career.
He continued his impressive form against Andrey Rublev, securing a place in the quarterfinals after a hard-fought match. Despite trailing a set, Auger-Aliassime triumphed over Alex de Minaur, winning 4-6, 7-6, 7-5, 7-6.
Insights from Toni Nadal on Auger-Aliassime’s Journey
After the match, former player Marion Bartoli recounted her conversation with Toni Nadal regarding Auger-Aliassime. “When I visited Rafa’s academy recently, Toni said he had given Felix everything he could during their coaching stint,” she mentioned.
Bartoli conveyed Nadal’s reflections on Felix’s ambition to reach the world number one spot amidst strong competition. “I felt it was a challenging goal given the presence of Rafa, Novak Djokovic, and the emerging talents like Carlos Alcaraz,” she added.
Auger-Aliassime Acknowledges Nerves in Quarterfinal Win
During his post-match interview, Auger-Aliassime candidly discussed the pressure he experienced. “It was a nervy match, and I know it wasn’t my best performance,” he admitted. Reflecting on his return to the semifinals after four years, he expressed, “It feels incredible to be back. The journey has been tough, but I’m ready for the challenges ahead.”
Praise from Mark Woodforde
Former doubles champion Mark Woodforde shared his insights on Auger-Aliassime’s performance, praising his resilience. “Both players were under nerves, especially with Alex leading early on. But Felix managed to hold his composure and preserve his strengths at crucial moments,” he observed, highlighting his ability to maintain focus and connect with his powerful serves.
As Auger-Aliassime prepares for his upcoming semifinal, Woodforde emphasized the importance of recovery, suggesting he let his team handle the details while focusing on his performance. His next match is set against either Jannik Sinner or Lorenzo Musetti on Friday, September 5.
