Félix Auger-Aliassime began a successful first career ATP Tour title defense on Tuesday after beating Lorenzo Sonego 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of the Rotterdam indoor tournament, in the Nederlands.
The Quebecer, seeded third in the event, took the measure of the Italian after one hour and 22 minutes of play on the center court of the Omnium ABN Amro. It was the second career match between the two players: Félix Auger-Aliassime had the 60e World Racket 6-2, 7-6 (2) on clay in Hamburg 2020.
In the next round, he will have an appointment with Grégoire Barrère, a qualified player who points to 71e world rank. The Frenchman disposed of Belgian David Goffin 6-0, 7-6 (3) in the first round.
The 22-year-old Quebecer won his first career title in Rotterdam last year after defeating Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-2 in the final. This triumph had instilled an extra dose of confidence in him, who went on to win three more titles in 2022.
The one who is now eighth player in the world set the tone for the meeting by scoring six aces in the first set. His first service ball proved to be much more incisive than that of his opponent; he obtained 82% of the points with this one, against barely 58% for Lorenzo Sonego.
The Quebecer was also patient and more opportunistic, breaking twice in as many occasions. By comparison, the Italian was unable to steal his serve in two chances.
The trend continued in the second run. Auger-Aliassime had a total of seven aces, compared to only one for Sonego. The latter was also unable to establish his game, even being broken twice in as many opportunities.
From then on, it was only a matter of time before Félix Auger-Aliassime, the only Canadian player entered in the Rotterdam tournament, claimed victory.