(Paris) It was in his eighth confrontation in six years against Daniil Medvedev that Félix Auger-Aliassime finally tamed the beast.
The Quebecer chose his moment well to defeat the Russian – a two-set victory of 6-3 and 7-6 (5). He did it to secure his place in the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympic Games. At Roland-Garros no less. In front of a French crowd that chanted “Felix! Felix!”
What more could you ask for, dear readers?
“It’s a big relief,” said the 23-year-old athlete in the mixed zone, just a few hours before going to play her mixed doubles match with Gabriela Dabrowski. The Canadian duo won 7-6 (2), 3-6 and 10-8 in the break against Americans Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz to advance to the semi-finals.
“In 2018, it was the first time we played each other and I lost in Toronto. To finally win years later, it’s nice, obviously. It’s a good thing done. Plus in this tournament, with a crowd like today’s.”
PHOTO VIOLETA SANTOS MOURA, REUTERS
Félix Auger-Aliassime had never won a match against Daniil Medvedev.
It’s true that the spectators had almost only him. Despite the heat that assailed the Simonne-Mathieu court. Despite the rain that appeared at the beginning of the second set and forced a 35-minute break.
“I love this competition. Playing for Canada is always a pleasure. All this is bonus time. Today, I’m very happy.”
” A great pleasure “
As mentioned above, this was the eighth duel between the two men. Importantly, however, it was the first on clay. The other seven were played on hard, the great Russian’s favourite surface.
FAA had a close call in the first game of the match; at 30-30 while he was serving, the duel could have taken a completely different turn.
“I was a little tense, but I was able to get through it with a good serve and it continued from there,” he said.
PHOTO VIOLETA SANTOS MOURA, REUTERS
Félix Auger-Aliassime took advantage of the energy of the crowd on the Simonne-Mathieu court.
The Quebecer was indeed imperial in service, hitting 9 aces and winning 69% of his first serves in the match. At 4-3 in the first set, he broke for the first – and only – time of the match. He clenched his fist at the height of his chin, a sign of satisfaction à la Auger-Aliassime.
The second set went to a tiebreak; at 4-4, FAA scored a point. Then another. Medvedev made it 6-5, but the man of the match then made sure to end the duel.
Since the weather was really hot, he was going to make me work. He was serving well too. I was like, ‘Take care of your serve, don’t get too frustrated if you don’t get your chances on the return, if you miss a few shots.’ I wanted to focus on what was going well, on holding my serve, what I was doing well.
Felix Auger-Aliassime
“That was the mentality: don’t let anything get in my way.”
Auger-Aliassime showed up with the same concentration as in his last two encounters. He wasn’t perfect, of course, but he managed to stay on course against a Medvedev who, moreover, only succeeded in 22% of his returns.
“It’s a physical effort, point after point. I was trying not to lose too much energy between points and just give it my all every time. I think I did that well.”
PHOTO CHRISTINNE MUSCHI, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Félix Auger-Aliassime served very well, hitting 9 aces and winning 69% of his first serves in the match.
After the game, he pointed to the sky. He had a big smile on his face. “At the time, it was such a great pleasure,” he said. “I had so many great emotions on the field.”
“I always believed I had what it took to beat him; it was just a matter of making it happen, if you want to,” he said earlier. Today, that was the case.
Eyes on a medal
The Quebecer will face Casper Ruud, master on clay, on Thursday in the quarter-finals. The task will be great. It will be until the end of these Games.
“Obviously, every athlete who comes here expects to win,” he said. “There are only a few who do. If I can be part of that group, it would be a great honour and I think I can do it.”
“The quarter-finals are good, but we’re going to try to get a medal.”