Félix Auger-Aliassime showcased his resilience and growing maturity at the US Open, overcoming a set deficit to defeat eighth seed Alex de Minaur in a nerve-wracking four-hour contest. The Canadian triumphed with a scoreline of 4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-5, 7-6 (4), securing his place in the semi-finals in New York.
This victory marks a significant milestone in Auger-Aliassime’s career, as he reaches the US Open semi-finals for the second time, four years after his debut in 2021. Reflecting on his achievement, Auger-Aliassime expressed, “It feels amazing. Four years ago, it feels like more, honestly. It was a tough couple of years but it feels even better now to be back in the semi-finals.”
Overcoming Challenges
Once ranked as high as No. 6 in 2022, Auger-Aliassime has faced numerous challenges, including injuries and confidence issues, which have impacted his ATP ranking, now standing at No. 27. Earlier this year, he struggled to find his form, exiting before the third round in the first three Grand Slams. A crushing defeat by Jannik Sinner in Cincinnati further tested his resolve.
However, the US Open has seen a resurgence in Auger-Aliassime’s performance. He followed an impressive four-set victory over No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev with a commanding straight-sets win against Andrey Rublev, the 15th seed. His gameplay has been characterized by a powerful serve, a formidable forehand, and strategic intelligence on the court.
A Tense Battle
The high stakes of Grand Slam tennis often mean that maintaining peak performance is challenging. Both players entered Arthur Ashe Stadium aware of the opportunity ahead. For De Minaur, it was a chance to break new ground and reach his first Grand Slam semi-final. For Auger-Aliassime, it was a step towards reclaiming his position among the elite after a turbulent period.
The match was a tumultuous affair, with neither player able to maintain consistent dominance. De Minaur initially led by a break in the second set but lost his serve, while Auger-Aliassime failed to close out the third set. As De Minaur served for the fourth set, Auger-Aliassime rallied, ultimately closing the match in four sets.
“Just a lot of nerves today through the whole match,” De Minaur admitted post-match. “It wasn’t pretty at all times but that’s what Grand Slam matches are. Sometimes, some days you won’t feel your best but I was willing to dig really deep and do everything I can to stay here, right now.”
Looking Back and Forward
A decade has passed since Auger-Aliassime first made waves by reaching the quarter-final of an ATP Challenger event at just 14 years old. As the first of the 2000s generation to make a mark on the professional circuit, expectations have always been high. While his career has been successful, he continues to strive for more, with this week representing a crucial step towards fulfilling his ambitions.
Conversely, this defeat was a bitter pill for De Minaur, who has now exited in the quarter-finals in five of his past seven Grand Slam tournaments. Despite facing top-tier opponents in previous rounds, this match against a lower-ranked player was a missed opportunity. De Minaur expressed his frustration, acknowledging the pressure and his desire to prove himself.
“It is very tough when you have worked so hard for something and you constantly are putting yourself in positions to, in a way, prove people wrong, right? But yet again, you kind of fall, and especially this time, it’s a tough one to take,” he said.
As Auger-Aliassime prepares for his upcoming semi-final, he stands on the brink of further solidifying his place among tennis’s elite. Meanwhile, De Minaur will need to regroup and find ways to overcome the mental hurdles that have impeded his progress in major tournaments. The journey for both players continues, each with their own challenges and aspirations.
