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Again in Might, Félix Auger-Aliassime pushed Rafael Nadal to the restrict on the Spaniard’s greatest court docket. When the 2 met for a rematch within the Canadian’s most well-liked circumstances, he obtained the job finished.
Auger-Aliassime received his first match on the ATP Finals on Tuesday, taking down the world No. 2 in straight units to enhance his group stage document to 1-1 in Turin.
The Canadian overcame some early stress from the 22-time Grand Slam winner, however as soon as he obtained the lead he by no means let his foot off the gasoline, scoring his first win over Nadal in three conferences 6-3, 6-4.
A win from Auger-Aliassime retains his hopes of advancing to the semifinals alive. The Canadian should beat American Taylor Fritz on Thursday so as to have an opportunity at ending within the high two within the inexperienced group.
It was one other one of many robust serving performances which have been commonplace for Auger-Aliassime over current weeks. He received 81 per cent of his first serve factors, which was key as he solely managed 40 per cent of his seconds, and saved all 5 break factors he confronted.
Most impressively, he outgunned Nadal within the rallies, firing 32 winners to the Spaniards 13.
Auger-Aliassime discovered himself underneath stress early within the match, going through a pair of break factors in his opening service sport, however managed to climate the early storm.
After back-to-back holds to like, he wanted to save lots of two extra with forehand winners within the seventh sport earlier than turning the tables on Nadal.
The Canadian obtained his first break level alternative of the match the very subsequent sport after a pair of Nadal double faults from 40-love up let Auger-Aliassime right into a service sport. Dealing with a break level for the primary time, the Spaniard drove a forehand lengthy.
Within the second set, Auger-Aliassime struck early, breaking for a 2-1 lead when Nadal flubbed a volley.
As soon as he had the sting, the Canadian didn’t blink. He confronted only one break level within the second set however was in a position to put it aside. When it got here time to serve out the match, he made no mistake, closing out the win with a routine maintain.
Thursday’s conflict with Fritz is a must-win for Auger-Aliassime, though a win might not be sufficient relying on the American’s consequence afterward Tuesday towards Casper Ruud as the likelihood ties both atop the group or for second place nonetheless exist.
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