Next Gen star Felix Auger-Aliassime has recorded the biggest win of his career by ATP ranking after knocking out ninth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-2, in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open.
Auger-Aliassime, who was playing a top 10 player for the first time in his career, prevailed in the clash of the rising stars with the help of a strong serving performance that saw him win 81% of his first service points. Regardless of his inexperience, the former US Open boys’ champion exerted his dominance with the help of 18 winners to 20 unforced errors. Compared to his opponent’s tally of 12 and 18.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect. I definitely didn’t expect to win that way,” Auger-Aliassime told the Tennis Channel afterwards. “But I believed in myself, was able to impose my game like I did in the first round, and that’s it.”
Whilst never playing each other previously on the ATP Tour, Auger-Aliassime boasted a winning 3-0 head-to-head record from their clashes in the juniors. Despite being the youngest player in the top 100, the 18-year-old started the match the stronger of the two. Three games into the match, he broke for a 2-1 lead with the help of a Tsitsipas backhand crashing into the net. Grabbing the early lead, Auger Aliassime continued to be placed under pressure. Fending off six break points during 12-minute service game to lead 3-1. That mini battle proved pivotal to the outcome of the opening set as the world No.58 rallied to the 6-4 advantage after 43 minutes. Capitalising on another error from across the court on his first set point opportunity.
In pole position, the underdog continued to dominate against his rapidly faltering opponent throughout set number two. A nightmare Tsitsipas service game concluded with two forehand errors to hand Auger-Aliassime his second break of the match. Continuing to dictate the points, a blistering backhand down the line followed by a well constructed point executed by the Canadian elevated him to a 6-4, 5-2, stronghold. Serving for a place in the third round, victory was secured with another speedy serve down the centre of the court.
“It’s tough playing him.” Tsitsipas said of his opponent. “He has kind of a strange tempo in his game, and you always feel like he’s going to hit very hard, but then you don’t really know what to expect, how hard he’s going to hit the ball. So you’re always caught out of position.
“But he definitely played very well, and he deserves every single piece of that victory.” He added.
First Top 10 win for @felixtennis!
The 18-year-old Canadian races into round three, beating Tsitsipas 6-4 6-2#BNPPO19 pic.twitter.com/GKyQOUPiKZ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 9, 2019
The triumph in the latest achievement of Auger-Aliassime’s blossoming career. 12 months ago at Indian Wells he defeated Vasek Pospisil to win his first Masters 1000 match. Becoming the youngest ever winner at the event since it was given Masters status back in 1990. More recently, he was runner-up at the Rio Open to Laslo Djere in what was his maiden ATP Final.
Auger-Aliassime has now achieved three wins over top 20 players so far in his career. His others were against Lucas Pouille (2018 Roger Cup) and Fabio Fognini (2019 Rio Open).
Up next for the teenager in Indian Wells will be either Roberto Bautista Agut or Yoshihito Nishioka.
✅ Fresh off a win
✅ Fresh new hair cut@felixtennis pic.twitter.com/YyweSdWGzE— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) March 9, 2019
