Before the US Open it had been a difficult season for Felix Auger-Aliassy at the Majors. The Canadian had lost in the second round or earlier in the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
But the 25th seed showed that he lives on Saturday evening and in Flushing Meadows when he disturbed the third seed of Alexander Zverev with 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4, 6-4 for a place in the fourth round. It is his first time in the second week during the last SLAM of the season, because he reached the semi -final in 2021.
“This feels good. This feels good,” said Auger-Aliassime. “I’ve been coming here since 2018. I am still young, but it’s a few years ago and I work my way. Some of you may be the first time you look at me tonight. But this feels really good.
“It is clear that Job is not ready. The tournament is still going, but this means a lot to me. Many hard work, many years.”
Auger-Aliassime attacked in Louis Armstrong Stadium as desired and won 24 of his 27 net points to eliminate the German in three hours and 48 minutes. Zverev ran on the field with a 6-2 lead in their Lexus ATP Head2head rivement and held the tarpaulin on 6/5 in the second set of-break for a two-set-to-no benefit, but could not convert.
“It was a nervous start of the first few games and after it was pretty crazy, pretty flawless. But Sascha had to be incredible, so it was hard to get a break,” said Auger-Aliasxime. “I was a bit lucky in the Tie-Break that it was going my way, but with the way I played in the third and fourth, I still think that what happened in the second would give myself a chance. I saw it big today and it is good if you certainly feel like that on the field.”
Auger-Aliassime won the only earlier collision of the couple at a major on Wimbledon 2021 and by beating Zverev in New York, he achieved his first victory at the level against a top 5 opponent (formerly 0-6.)
The 25-year-old then takes on the 15th seed against Andrey Rublev, who survived a difficult five-setter against Coleman Wong 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Rublev takes a 7-1 Lexus ATP Head2head lead in his confrontation with Auger-Aliassy for a place in the quarterfinals.
“I think I would be a fool not to do that [use his win for confidence,” Auger-Aliassime said. “Of course this feels good. I’m going to try to recover as best as I can. Even though I looked not tired, it was tough on the legs, a lot of sprints, a lot of forehands. I’ll try to recover my best. But these guys — Sascha, Andrey — these are all top players and they’ve been at the top of the game for many years, but I’m trying to be battling with them in those matches for sure.”
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