Felix Auger Aliassime has winning streak may be broken these days, but he didn’t let it last too long at the ATP Finals in Turin.
After losing to Norwegian tennis player Casper Ruud in the opening match of the group phase, the fifth seed recovered impressively after he sank the first seed Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-4, which was his first win at the ATP Finals.
“I think after playing one match here, I’m starting to get used to the main court conditions,” said Auger Aliassime. “That helped me a lot. I feel my game is getting better. My serve was great, my return and backhand just got better. I hit it with more consistency and quality. When I play like that, I have proven that I can compete and beat some of the best players in the world.”
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Despite the loss, the Spanish national tennis player, Nadal has not been eliminated from the competition to become world number 1 at the end of the season. If Ruud wins a set against Taylor Fritz, he will be eliminated from contention for a place in the semifinals, so Carlos Alcaraz will end the season as world number 1.
The 2022 Basel champion showcased an accurate serve and clean shot from both shots throughout crucial moments, including saving all five break points he faced en route to a 1-1 record in Group Green. He will face Fritz in the final group match in a bid to reach the last four of the ATP Finals for the first time in his career.
“Now I have one win and one loss. If I can get two wins, hopefully I can get going, so we’ll see how things go,” said Auger Aliassime.
“I will be ready to fight Taylor. The match will not be easy. He has been playing very well this season and these conditions are perfect for him.”
The 22-year-old made no secret of her joy after beating her childhood idol Nadal for the first time in their third meeting. She had been close enough to beat him in their last meeting, the French Open in May, but the Spaniard won the encounter in five sets.
“I’m not sure if I will be here one day or if I can only dream about it,” admits Felix Auger Aliassime. “Our age gap is huge and that shows what kind of champion and role model he is because he is still here at 36, fighting hard against players who are in their 20s. He is also genuine and has a positive attitude.”
