Felix Auger-Aliassime lost the opening United Cup match to Borna Coric despite bageling his rival in the opener. The Canadian bounced back in the second tie and defeated world no. 4 Taylor Fritz 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in two hours and 19 minutes,
Taylor squandered a massive advantage. The better-ranked opponent led 6-4, 4-2, 30-15 and served for the win at 5-4. However, Auger-Aliassime bounced back and provided two breaks to force a decider.
Felix served well in the final set and earned a break in the middle of the set to emerge at the top. The Canadian fired 19 aces and played better behind the first and second serve. He saved two of four break points and delivered three return games to seal the deal.
The US Open finalist grabbed a break in the first game of the duel following the rival’s forehand error. Taylor fired an ace in the second game to cement the lead and forced Felix’s mistake two games later for 3-1. The Canadian held after a deuce in the fifth game.
He took a medical timeout on the lower back ahead of the sixth game but continued without issues. Fritz closed it after two deuces and landed an ace two games later for a 5-3 advantage. Felix extended the battle with a hold at love in game nine.
The American served for the opener at 5-4 and landed an ace, completing the first part of the duel in 46 minutes. Taylor served well in the opening two service games of the second set. World no. 4 landed a backhand down the line winner in the fifth game, earning a break and moving in front.
Taylor held with a service winner in game six for 42 and led 30-15 on the return in the next one in under 80 minutes. The Canadian kept his composure and landed an ace to bring the game home and remain within one break deficit.
The better-ranked player closed the eighth game with a forehand winner and served for the win at 5-4. Felix painted a backhand down the line winner for a break chance. He seized it after Taylor’s massive forehand mistake, leveling the score at 5-5 and extending the drama.
Fritz could have introduced a tie break after a 40-15 lead in the 12th game. Auger-Aliassime extended the game and converted the second set point with a forced error, securing two straight breaks and forcing a decider after an hour and 43 minutes.
Felix gained a boost and provided five comfortable holds in the final set. They served well in the opening five games before the Canadian took charge on the return at 3-2. Taylor lost ground and sprayed a forehand error, falling behind and showing signs of frustration.
Auger-Aliassime fired a powerful serve in the seventh game for 5-2. The American came from 0-30 in the eighth game and held after a deuce to extend the battle. However, the Canadian drew the opponent’s error in the ninth game, sealing the deal and celebrating a notable victory.
Leave a Reply