Félix Auger-Aliassime has every intention of staying in Montreal for as long as possible. He defeated Briton Cameron Norrie in two sets of 6-3 and 6-4 on Thursday on center court at Stade IGA.
Posted at 6:19 p.m.
He thus becomes the first Quebecer in history to reach the quarter-finals of the National Bank Open. His next opponent will be the Norwegian Casper Ruud.
Auger-Aliassime won from the start of the match by multiplying the aces. At 4-3 in the first set, he played well at the net, before scoring a first break of serve to double his lead. That’s when we got our first fist in the air, a sign that things were going the way he wanted.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
The 22-year-old followed up with a shutout to secure the first inning. “Ahee ahee ahee” were heard from the stands. Like the day before, the crowd only had love for the Quebecer.
The second run proved to be as fruitful as the first for Auger-Aliassime, who seemed absolutely unwavering. At 4-4, he took advantage of three double faults from the Briton to go for another break of service.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
The crowd favorite then netted four points in a row to secure the victory in just 1 hour and 12 minutes.
More details to come.