Félix Auger-Aliassime retained his title of champion of the Basel tennis tournament on Sunday, thanks to a victory in two sets of 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5) against the Pole Hubert Hurkacz.
For Auger-Aliassime, 19e world player, this is a fifth career title and a first since the 2022 edition of this same tournament.
Hurkacz, who was aiming for an eighth career title and a third in 2023, lost for the third time in four duels against Auger-Aliassime.
Like his performance in the semi-final on Saturday against the Dane Holger Rune, Auger-Aliassime produced high-level play, without necessarily being spectacular.
During the first set, which lasted exactly an hour, Auger-Aliassime conceded no break chance, won 22 points out of 23 after placing his first ball in play, totaled 22 winning shots and committed only five unforced errors.
Aided by his six aces, Hurkacz was able to force a tiebreaker which Auger-Aliassime won with two mini-breaks.
The first came when the score was 3-3, thanks to a smash. The second ended the set, the result of a powerful return of a second serve from Auger-Aliassime.
The second round was strangely similar to the first – it lasted 8 minutes less – and Auger-Aliassime was just as brilliant.
He had nine aces and committed no double faults. He won 20 points out of 22 after placing his first ball in play. He accumulated 21 winning shots without committing a single unforced error. And once again, he didn’t have to save a single break point.
Despite everything, Auger-Aliassime had to come from behind in the decisive break, after he conceded a point on his serve which allowed the Pole to take a 2-0 lead.
The Montrealer reacted by first winning his serve and collecting two consecutive mini-breaks to take a 3-2 lead.
Then, while leading 6-5 and with a match point in hand, Auger-Aliassime made a brilliant backhand, cross-court return of serve, to which Hurkacz reacted by throwing his racket towards the ball in desperation of cause.
Auger-Aliassime finished the match with 13 aces and only two double faults. He also accumulated an impressive total of 43 winners against only five errors. He also only allowed nine points to his serve.
The victory ensures Auger-Aliassime remains in the top 20 of the rankings.