Felix Auger-Aliassime is through to the last four of the US Open for the first time since 2021 after coming through a topsy-turvy encounter against Alex de Minaur.
The 25th seed overcame some patchy play to prevail 4-6, 7-6(7), 7-5, 7-6(4), over the Australian in what was a roller-coaster encounter. Auger-Aliassime was down a set and a break early on before having to fight back from a 1-4 deficit in the fourth.
“I think it was just a lot of nerves today. During the match, it wasn’t pretty at all times, but that’s what Grand Slam matches are,” said Auger-Aliassime, who produced 50 unforced errors alongside 51 winners.
“Some days you won’t feel your best, but I was willing to dig deep and do everything I can to stand in here (conducting a winner’s interview on court).”
Auger-Aliassime’s victory comes during what has been a dream run for the 25-year-old, who has also produced wins over Alexander Zverev and Andrey Rublev earlier in the draw. Zverev was the first top-five player he had beaten at a major event. Prior to the US Open, he had lost in the first round in three out of his last five Grand Slams played.
“It was a tough couple of years, but it feels even better now to be back in the semifinals,” he said.
“It’s been an amazing tournament so far.”
As for De Minaur, he exits New York with the regret of his missed opportunities after being a single point away from taking a two-set lead and was on the verge of forcing the match into a decider. He was bidding to become the first Australian man in 20 years to reach the last four of the tournament.
De Minaur looked good early on after drawing blood halfway through the opening set, after an Auger-Aliassime forehand error enabled him to break for 4-3. From that point on, the eighth seed utilized his speed and capitalized on more costly mistakes coming from across the court to seal a 6-4 lead, converting his first set point opportunity after a wild forehand from the Canadian that went wide.
Auger-Aliassime clawed his way back to level by surviving a marathon 87-minute second frame that was full of plenty of twists and turns, as well as 31 unforced errors between the two players. After failing to convert two break points during an eight-deuce game to lead 3-1 and then dropping serve in the following game, he battled back to force proceedings into a tiebreak. De Minaur failed to convert a set point when ahead 6-5 before Auger-Aliassime snatched it five points later.
Despite not producing his best tennis, Auger-Aliassime nudged into the lead for the first time by coming through the third set, which was just as dramatic. He failed to serve it out when leading 5-3, but some loose shots from a growingly frustrated de Minaur opened the door for him once again to take it 7-5.
Then in the fourth set, the world No.27 recovered from a 1-4 deficit before squeezing through another tightly contested tiebreaker. He is through to the semi-final of an ATP event for the eighth time this year.
“There’s still some tennis to play and the biggest challenges are yet to come. That’s what I live for. That’s what I train for. So I’m going to show up and be ready for my match on Friday.” He commented.
Auger-Aliassime will play either Jannik Sinner or Lorenzo Musetti for a place in the final.
