BASEL, Switzerland – Quebecer Félix Auger-Aliassime continued his good start to the tournament in Basel, Switzerland, winning 6-4, 6-2 over Dutchman Botic van Zandschulp on Thursday.
Reigning champion of this ATP 500 tournament, Auger-Aliassime displayed a form that we have seen very little from him over the last half year.
Sixth seed this week, the 22-year-old tennis player put the finishing touches to his victory against the 65th racket in the world after 1 hour 21 minutes of play.
He did things cleanly, notably putting 70% of his first service balls in play. He had five aces for two double faults, and converted four of his six break points.
Auger-Aliassime, ranked 19th in the ATP, will again play the last match of the day on center court on Friday. Therefore, he should not set foot on the field before 2 p.m. Quebec time.
He will then face the Russian Alexander Shevchenko, no. 83 ATP, who defeated the American Taylor Fritz, third favorite, 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/5) .
Frtiz obtained fifteen break points, without being able to make a single one.
If he wins in the quarter-finals, “FAA” could well make an appointment in the semi-finals with the Dane Holger Rune, the big favorite in the men’s draw.
In the other portion of the draw, Hubert Hurkacz (No. 4) is the highest ranked player still in the running, with second seed Casper Ruud having already suffered elimination.
Dominic Stricker, 96th player, beat Ruud winning 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (1).
Stricker had 13 aces in the match and won 82% of his points using his first serve.
The Basel tournament is the first in a series of three that Auger-Aliassime will play on a hard surface, indoors.
2023-10-26 23:24:12
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