Quebecer Félix Auger-Aliassime enjoyed a 16e consecutive triumph, Friday, by winning against the American Frances Tiafoe in two sets of 6-1 and 6-4 in the quarter-finals of the Paris Tennis Masters.
• Read also: A 15th in a row for Félix Auger-Aliassime
Eighth racket in the world, “FAA” has not lost since its initial match at the tournament in Astana, Kazakhstan, where it lost to Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut.
Since then, he has won three titles (in Florence, Antwerp and Basel), while he could reach a fourth consecutive final if he wins again on Saturday.
He will have the Danish Holger Rune (18e) on his way, since the latter defeated world number 1 Carlos Alcaraz.
The 19-year-old forfeited 6-6 in the second set after losing the first set 6-3.
Auger-Aliassime quickly got his hands on the opening set, his opponent maintaining a low success percentage of 45% on his first serve.
Then he broke in the third game of the next set to take a serious option on victory.
Having seen Tiafoe barely save his skin – five match points, in fact – on a very long penultimate game, the winner settled the case on serve and triumphed in more than 90 minutes.
“It is magic”
During a press briefing after his victory, the main interested party indicated that his discipline explained a good part of his success.
“To have this success these last moments, it’s magical,” he said, according to the site. TennisNews. I really enjoy playing that way. […] I am very satisfied with where I am in my career and I hope to continue this way.
“My confidence is based on concrete things, whether it’s my discipline in my preparation, in my recovery or in the way I play,” he continued. I approach every game with confidence and humility. I can still lose every game. This allowed me to mobilize and be ready for all scenarios.
Auger-Aliassime believes that he is in good condition to continue to be successful.
“As for fatigue, it depends on the day,” he said. I found it very difficult in the first round, I didn’t feel very good. Even yesterday morning [mercredi]before playing against Gilles [Simon], I did not feel the best. I arrive on the court and I try to give the best of myself. I found the energy I needed to play well. From today, I feel very good and I think I will have the energy to finish this tournament.
The maple leaf athlete has secured his place in the ATP Finals, scheduled for November 13-20, thanks to his recent successes.
The favorite gives up
In addition, the world number 1, Carlos Alcaraz, retired in the quarter-finals of the tournament when he was led 6-3 and 6-6 by the young Dane Holger Rune (18e), Friday, due to an abdominal injury.
“I felt something in my abs in the second set. In the end, it got worse, I preferred to give up,” explained the 19-year-old athlete.
“It limited me in a lot of things, to hit my forehand, on serve, when I turned, it hurt quite a bit,” said Alcaraz.
Saturday, the first Parisian semi-final will therefore oppose Rune to Auger-Aliassime.
The Quebecer won the only clash between them, less than a week ago, in the final in Basel.
Novak Djokovic meanwhile won his duel in two sets of 6-0 and 6-3 against the Italian Lorenzo Musetti.
He will therefore face in the other semi-final the winner of the match between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Tommy Paul.
– With information from Agence France-Presse