Félix Auger-Aliassime did not have to argue one of those marathon-like matches that make the Grand Slam tournaments so exhilarating on Thursday. Three days after having taken five hours and as many rounds to defeat Dominic Thiem, the Quebecer quite easily reached the third round of the Australian Open by triumphing over Frenchman Hugo Grenier, a qualifier, whom he disposed of 6-1, 3- 6, 6-1 and 6-2, Thursday.
This is a first in a year for Auger-Aliassime. During his painful 2023 season, marked by a damaged knee, which is still covered in therapeutic tape, and a loss of confidence, “FAA” had not passed the first round of any major tournament after having enjoyed success in Australia, where he lost in his fourth match.
And now… Medvedev
But the hardest part is yet to come for this fortnight, since he will be measured in the evening of Friday or, in the night from Friday to Saturday (Eastern time), against a certain Daniil Medvedev, third top seed, whom he has never beaten in six matches.
The good news is that the Russian made it to the end of the Australian night to obtain his ticket for this confrontation.
Daniel Medvedev
Photo AFP
Opposed to Finnish Emil Ruusuvuori, 53e player of the world, Medvedev had to work very hard to overcome a deficit of two sets to zero to win 3-6, 6-7 (1), 6-4, 7-6 (1) and 6-0, in 4 hours 23 minutes.
It was now 3:40 a.m. and the birds must have started singing in Melbourne.
Almost flawless
And as good news rarely comes alone, Félix for his part showed himself almost flawlessly in this victory in the second round against the 178e global.
If we exclude, of course, these 56 unforced errors (compared to 40 winning shots) and this hitch in the second round, during which he got bogged down in long rallies (a strategy that often pays off for his rivals).
But at the heart of a long day during which the big names were often pushed to their limits, when they were not simply eliminated, like the Dane Holger Rune (8e), Auger-Aliassime was rather sparkling against his 27-year-old opponent, more of a regular on the Challenger circuit than in these big moments.
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Relegated to the role of 27e favorite in Australia by virtue of his failures last year, the Montrealer (or the pride of L’Ancienne-Lorette, depending on where you come from) dominated at the back of the field, often overwhelming Grenier with his power.
Heartbreaking setback
He will now have to re-edit the scenario, reducing the unforced errors, to hope to beat Medvedev.
A Medvedev who had dealt him a cruel setback on these same courts, two years ago in the quarterfinals, when the Russian for the last time before Thursday made up a deficit of two sets to zero, erasing a match point in the process.
While waiting for this interesting and possibly exciting duel, however, Félix can put his victory against Grenier in the “those that are good for confidence” section of his binder.