Tennis Prodigy Félix Auger-Aliassime Claims Historic Title In France

Canadian teenager Félix Auger-Aliassime has become the seventh youngest player in history to win an ATP Challenger title after defeating Mathias Bourgue 6-4, 6-1, in the final of the Open Sopra Steria de Lyon.

Dropping his serve during the early stages of the match to go behind 3-1, the Canadian 16-year-old impressed by fighting back and holding his next seven service games. Securing the title in just under 80 minutes, Auger-Aliassime won 64% of his service points and successfully converted four out of his five break point opportunities.

History is made in Lyon! @felixtennis becomes the 7th-youngest titlist in #ATPChallenger history, d. Bourgue 64 61 in @opensoprasteria final pic.twitter.com/tw9xeTeBNl

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) 18 June 2017

The current US Open boys champion is the youngest player to win a ATP Challenger title since Bernard Tomic in 2009 and the first born in the year 2000. His route to the title saw Auger-Aliassime play just one seed in the tournament, fourth seeded Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals.

Since his breakthrough tournament at the 2015 Granby Open, the Canadian teenager has gradually climbed the rankings. At that tournament he reached the quarter-finals as a qualifier at the age of 14 and became the youngest player to break the top-800. Following his latest title in Lyon on Sunday, he is set to break the top-250 for the first time in his career.

Auger-Aliassime’s triumph is also a boost for Canadian tennis. He is the third player from his country to win a Challenger title after Denis Shapovalov (Drummondville) and Vasek Pospisil (Busan). The last time three different Canadian men won Challenger titles was in 2013.

Next up for the rising star will be the Internationaux de Tennis de Blois. He will play France’s Gianni Mina in the first round. A win could set him up for a meeting with top seed Damir Dzumhur in the second round.

List of youngest ATP Challenger champions