It will be a top match at the Open Occinatie when Felix Auger-Aliassime and Arthur Fils collide in the quarter-finals on Friday evening. Somewhat surprisingly, this is their very first meeting.
Both players arrived in Montpellier as question marks, especially Fils. The 21-year-old Frenchman has not played since the Toronto Masters last summer due to a back injury. Other than competing in two matches in Toronto, Fils had been out since the French Open. Yet Fils is shaking off the rust nicely this week. The former world number 14 secured his place in the last eight by beating compatriots Valentin Royer (7-6(6), 6-7(4), 6-2) and Ugo Blanchet (7-6(4), 7-5).
Auger-Aliassime retired in the first round of the Australian Open, but that was due to cramps rather than injury. It will come as no surprise that the world number 8 looked good in his opening match on Thursday evening, beating the in-form Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 7-6(3).
Fils played the big points very well against both Royer and Blanchet, but those are two guys who have struggled mightily to win any game. It’s a completely different story with Auger-Aliassime on the other side of the net.
Regardless of Friday’s outcome, Fils’ comeback tournament is a great success. As the top seed and defending champion, it’s title or bust for Auger-Aliassime in Montpellier. The Canadian’s journey to a second consecutive trophy should continue.
Choice: Auger-Aliassime in 2
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