(Stockholm) Félix Auger-Aliassime defeated Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-3 in the quarter-finals of the Stockholm Open on Thursday, which could set the stage for a duel against a familiar opponent in the next round.
Auger-Aliassime, 11e world player, took an hour and 25 minutes to overcome the Dutchman, 61e player in the world. It was the first career duel between the two tennis players.
The 21-year-old Quebecer put on a virtually flawless performance against van de Zandschulp. In addition to being very efficient at the service, he was able to avoid double faults and cause chances of breakage.
Auger-Aliassime also saved the only breaking point offered to his opponent, and he managed to break it three times on 12 occasions. He also committed half as many unforced errors (10-20) than van de Zandschulp, in this clash presented indoors at the Royal Tennis Hall in Stockholm.
He will face in the semi-finals the winner of the match between his compatriot, the Ontarian Denis Shapovalov, and the Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, 60e world racket.
In the other half of the table, American Frances Tiafoe will cross swords in the semi-final with the winner of the match between compatriot Tommy Paul and Briton Andy Murray.
Auger-Aliassime still hopes to win a first career title on the ATP circuit. He lost in his two finals earlier this season, at the Stuttgart Open (on grass) and the Murray River Open (on cement).