Felix Auger Aliassime is into the semi-finals of the Stockholm Open after beating Botic Van De Zandschulp in straight sets.
The world N o.11 hit 11 aces and won 82% of his first service points during his 6-4, 6-3, win over the dutchman. It is the fifth time this year Auger-Aliassime has reached the last four of a ATP or Grand Slam tournament. He is the highest ranked player remaining in Stockholm after top seed Jannik Sinner crashed out of the tournament earlier this week.
“It was another good match for me today [and] it’s always nice to win in straight sets,” atptour.com quoted Auger-Aliassime as saying following his latest win. “He’s beaten some tough opponents this year, so I was ready to play my best tennis. I served great today. I had to save a few break points, but in general I was always comfortable in my service games. I moved well and I mixed up the ball speeds and heights. The court suits me well here.”
The first set stayed on serve until 2-2 when the Canadian had two chances to break and managed to get the first break of serve to take a 3-2 lead. That was enough to serve out the first set.
The second set was also very competitive with both players doing a good job holding serve. At 4-3 it was the Montreal native who broke serve and serving out the match in style to book his spot in the final four.
The latest victory is Auger-Aliassime’s 100th win on the ATP Tour.
“It’s very cool, I thought I needed to win one or two matches. Being able to win 100 matches in my career is special, so hopefully there are more milestones in the years to come.” He said about achieving the milestone.
Shapovalov survives scare to keep title defence alive
Denis Shapovalov, who is the defending champion this week in the Swedish capital, managed to fight back from a set down against the Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech to beat him 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.
The match lasted two hours and 21 minutes on Center Court and the Canadian served 14 aces and won 75% of his first-serve points in the win.
The Toronto native found himself down 4-0 in the opening set but managed to get a break of serve back. However, it wasn’t enough as Rinderknech served out the first set and the Canadian looked in danger of bowing out.
The second set was way more of a battle and it stayed on serve until 4-3 when the world number 18 broke serve before closing out the second set to send it to a decider.
The third set also stayed on serve until 5-5 when again the Canadian pushed hard putting immense pressure on the Frenchman serve. He managed to get the breakthrough and served out the match.
Shapovalov will face his Canadian compatriot in the semifinals on Friday. It is Auger Aliassime who currently leads their head-to-head 3-2 with their last meeting coming this year in Barcelona with the Montreal native winning in straight sets.
“It’s always a tough match against Denis, who won the title here a couple of years ago,” said Auger-Aliassime. “I’ve beaten him twice this year, so he’ll want revenge. We’ve known each other for a long time, and we both help and push each other.”
In the other semi-final Tommy Paul will take on Frances Tiafoe.