Next Gen star Felix Auger-Aliassime is a win away from winning his maiden title on the ATP Tour after defeating former champion Pablo Cuevas 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, in the semi-finals of the Rio Open.
The 18-year-old wild card stunned his more experienced opponent with a powerful display consisting of 30 winners and nine aces. At one set all, it was a sole break in the decider that secured the win for Auger-Aliassime. Leading 1-0, a Cuevas backhand landed out to hand the teenager the break for 2-0. Allowing Auger-Aliassime to battle towards the finish line after just over two hours of play.
“It feels great, the match was pretty tough, pretty complete today, I felt good from the start and thought I could have a shot to win.” The world No.104 told reporters afterwards.
“I was feeling my shots well and serving well too. But then he came back strong at the second set and I felt a lot of pressure from him. And then in the third set I came back strong again, I was able to break him early and then hold my serve. It was tough to finish when you’re so close to the line but I managed to stay calm and got the job done.”
As a result of his latest win, Auger-Aliassime has become the youngest player to reach the final of an ATP 500 event since the category was introduced back in 2009. The previous record was held by Alexander Zverev, who reached the final of the 2016 Gerry Weber Open at the age of 19.
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Earlier in the week, the rising star recorded his best ever win in terms of ranking. Stunning top 20 player Fabio Fognini in the first round of the tournament. He has also scored wins over Chile’s Christian Garin and Spain’s Jaume Munar.
“It’s been great. Every time you have a breakthrough as a young guy it’s a special moment and all the environment is important and from the first day I felt good in Rio, from the hotel I’m staying at, the places I’ve seen and the energy from the people. That’s really strong and I strongly believe that it has pushed me to where I am today, this week, and maybe I can give one last push with the support of the crowd tomorrow.” He said.
Auger-Aliassime has been tipped as a future star in the sport since his teenage years. At the age of 14 he qualified for the main draw of a Challenger event for the first time. He is a former US Open boys champion and is one of the youngest players of all time at win a Challenger title at the age of 16 years and 10 months. In total, he currently has four Challenger titles to his name.
“It’s something I’ve dealt with for a few years now. You just have to manage it, work on that and focus on what you have to do every day,” Auger-Aliassime told atptour.com. “For me, [winning the] title or not [winning the] title is not the most important thing today [for me], because at the end I want to have a successful career, every year. I don’t want to be remembered for just a final or just a title when I was 18.”
8 August 1981: Roger Federer is born
February 2000: Roger Federer reaches first ATP final
8 August 2000: Felix Auger-Aliassime is born
February 2019: Felix Auger-Aliassime reaches first ATP final— Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) February 23, 2019
Djere next
In Sunday’s final Auger-Aliassime will take on Serbia’s Laslo Djere, who knocked out top seed Dominic Thiem in the first round. The former junior Orange Bowl champion will be contesting his first ATP final at the age of 23. Djere moved into the final after Aljaz Bedene withdrew from the tournament due to a leg injury.
“Felix is a young and very talented player. I watched him a few times, he’s been playing really well, has a big serve, big forehead. But I think I’m ready and prepared and I’ll do my best. Hopefully I can win my first final here in Rio,” Said Djere.
Djere currently has two Challenger trophies under his belt and has featured in the main draw of six grand slam tournaments. Currently at a ranking high of 83rd in the world, he paid tribute to the support he has received from his family over the years.
“It wasn’t easy getting here. It’s really tough to become a professional tennis player, it doesn’t matter if you’re from Serbia or any other place. Conditions where I practiced were not ideal and I struggled a lot to get where I am today. When I was 15 mom was diagnosed with cancer, which was really tough for me, and she passed away two years later. And I lost my dad last December also to cancer. It’s not easy to be here at 23 not having parents, but I’m thankful for my younger sister and my girlfriend. I just want to make them proud.”
Regardless of the outcome of the final, Auger-Aliassime will break into the top 60 for the first time. Should he win the title, he will crack the top 50.
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