Playing in the main draw of a Masters 1000 event for the fifth time in his career, rising star Felix Auger-Aliassime is a win away from reaching the quarter-finals of the Miami Open.
The 18-year-old qualifier continued his recent surge in form on Sunday with a 7-6(5), 6-4, win over Hubert Hurkacz. Another Next Generation star who is just over three years older than him. Saving all three break points he faced during the match. The victory is the latest boost for Auger-Aliassime and his blossoming career. Within the past month he has reached his first ATP final at the Rio Open and stunned top 10 player Stefanos Tsitsipas in Indian Wells.
“At the start of this year I was just outside the top 100, just aiming to squeeze into the top 100 over the next few months. And then everything went so fast from there and I was able to keep on playing well.” The Next Gen star said during an interview with The Tennis Channel.
Auger-Aliassime has long been considered a rising star of the sport following his successful junior career. At the age of 14 he won his first main draw match at Challenger level at the 2015 Granby Open in Canada. He is also a former US Open boys champion and currently has four Challenger titles to his name.
As a result of his latest success in Miami, the teenager will break into the world’s top 50 when the rankings are updated next week. Becoming the first player born after 2000 to achieve the milestone on the men’s tour.
“After Indian Wells I was close (to the top 50), but those last few spots are tough to get. To get it already this week is so special.” He said.
Auger-Aliassime is among a group of young Canadian players making their name on the tour. Denis Shapovalov is the second youngest player in the top 100. Meanwhile, on the women’s tour Bianca Andreescu is in the middle of a 10-match winning streak after stunning the draw to win the Indian Wells title. Something that inspires her male compatriot.
“It goes through my head, obviously, why not. But obviously it’s a different level, different things.” Auger-Aliassime comments of Andreescu’s success. “At the same time it gives us a lot of belief. For Dennis, for me see what Bianca did was great. I was super excited as well this week for her.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to repeat something like that.” He added.
Federer impressed
The rise of the Montreal-born player hasn’t gone unnoticed by his rivals, particularly 20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer. Who compares him to the likes of Rafael Nadal. The two had previously trained together at Federer’s base in Dubai.
“I saw what he has special when I trained in Dubai with him,” Federer told Radio Canada.
“Unfortunately, he injured himself there in training.
“I like his attitude. For someone who is young like him, it’s impressive, we’ve seen it in the past with [Lleyton] Hewitt or [Rafael] Nadal, guys who are already mentally strong.
“I think we can put him a bit in that category.”
It is the maturity of the world No.57 that has impressed many. Recently saying during an interview with atptour.com that he ‘isn’t afraid of losing.’ It is that growing maturity that is aiding his rise in the sport.
“I think over the weeks you win, you lose, you learn.” He said. “I think a lot of things got better. My serve, my fitness, finishing the points at the net and being more calm. I’ve improved a lot.”
The question remains how great Felix Auger-Aliassime can become. In the history of men’s tennis, Milos Raonic is the only Canadian to have ever reach a grand slam final at the 2016 Wimbledon Championships. Raonic, who is 28, has won eight ATP titles so far in his career.
“The way he’s able to accelerate the forehand, the backhand and the first ball is something that will be important to him in the future,” Federer commented.
“After, his footwork is excellent too. He even manages to slide on the hard.”
Auger-Aliassime will play 17th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili in the fourth round of the Miami Open on Tuesday.
