The Felix Auger-Aliassime title charge is building in Rotterdam.
The 21-year-old Canadian took another step towards a first ATP Tour title with a hard-fought 7-5, 7-6(4) win over Cameron Norrie in the quarter-finals of the ABN Amro World Tennis Tournament on Friday.
Third seed Auger-Aliassime produced a solid performance over two hours and seven minutes, coming back from a break down in the second set to reach the semi-finals in Rotterdam for the second time.
“I never expect an easy match [against Norrie],” said Auger-Aliassime after the match. “I came today expecting his best tennis and I had to keep my guard up at all times. It was a difficult match, lots of ups and downs, tough rallies, so I’m super relieved to be through, really happy.”
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After an even start a loose game from Norrie gave Auger-Aliassime a break for 5-3, but the young Canadian immediately let the Brit back in with three double-faults to hand Norrie a break of his own.
Auger-Aliassime recovered from the lapse well, breaking again to take the first set as Norrie struggled to deal with his opponent’s crushing forehand.
BNP Paribas Open champion Norrie entered Rotterdam on a five-match losing streak, a run which included a straight-sets defeat to Auger-Aliassime at the ATP Cup in January. The Brit had impressed in wins over Ugo Humbert and Karen Khachanov to reach the quarter-finals, however, and he showed those same qualities to fight his way to a 4-2 lead in the second set.
The greater power of the Canadian gradually began to tell as he roared back with some strong baseline hitting to seal victory in a tie-break. The World No. 9 used his big weapons effectively throughout, ending with 46 winners to Norrie’s 14.
Auger-Aliassime cited his aggressive style as crucial to his victory. “You can’t shy away from the challenge, stay tough mentally and physically,” he said. “Again today I was precise with my forehand, especially in the tie-break, I hit a few good winners, that was key for me tonight.”
The Canadian faces a tough semi-final assignment in Rotterdam in the form of the defending champion, Andrey Rublev.
The Russian World No. 7 was in imperious form as he cruised past World No. 38 Marton Fucsovics 6-4, 6-3 in one hour and 14 minutes.
Similarly to Auger-Aliassime, Rublev hit the ball with real ferocity from the very start as he extended his ATP Head2Head series lead over Fucscovics to 5-2.
A Rublev break in the first game set the tone for the match, Fucscovics not being allowed to play due to the sheer weight of the second seed’s hitting.
After Rublev completed the job in the first set, any hopes Fucscovics had of a revival in the second were undermined as he immediately lost serve again. Rublev then sealed victory with his second break of the set, having dropped just four points on first serve in the match.
With the win, the Russian improves his career match-record in Rotterdam to 12-2.
Source Tennis – ATP World Tour
