Quebecer Félix Auger-Aliassime was eliminated in the first round at the Japan Open tennis tournament on Thursday, when he lost against Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka after a duel lasting more than three hours.
Auger-Aliassime lost in three sets of 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-6 (5) against Nishioka. The match lasted three hours and 12 minutes at Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo.
The Quebecer had 12 aces, compared to four for his rival. He also had the advantage in points won, 119 to 117, although he was ultimately beaten.
Auger-Aliassime started the tournament on 21e rank in the ATP player rankings. Nishioka, who received an invitation to this ATP 500 tournament, was ranked 59e.
Before Thursday’s duel, Auger-Aliassime had beaten Nishioka in four of their six clashes.
In the second round, Nishioka will face sixth-seeded Dane Holger Rune. Rune defeated Toronto-born Chilean Alejandro Tabilo 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 in the first round.
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