After a first Grand Slam quarter-final at Wimbledon in July, Felix Auger-Aliassime continues and will experience his first major semi-final in New York, against Daniil Medvedev.
At 21, the No.12 seed took advantage of the early retirement of Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz (18; 55th) to register as the first Canadian to reach the semi-finals of the US Open in the history of the tournament (since 1881) and the youngest man to reach the last four at Flushing-Meadows since Juan Martin del Potro in 2009. That year, the Argentinian had lifted the trophy ...
The "
youngest
"
quarter-final
in Grand Slam (which could call many others) since the duel between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in 2006 at Roland Garros was unfortunately cut short by the injury (probably to a thigh) by Carlos Alcaraz who had a series of extended matches (5 sets against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the third round, then against the German Peter Gojowczyk in the round of 16). His style "
Monsieur plus
», All in intensity, in power, suffering from a lack of modulation ended up testing his physique and cutting his legs which are two sticks of dynamite. During the first games, Carlos Alcaraz displayed his ferocity, his determination but was the first to give in. On his 4th break point, after 29 'of intense play, Felix Auger-Aliassime snatched the break and made the New York public roar determined to accompany the fight with pugilists. Alcaraz still showed liveliness, explosiveness, commitment but could not derail the Canadian who pocketed with aplomb (after having dismissed 3 break points) the first set 6-3.
Imperceptibly, the Spaniard reduced the exchanges and gave up his entry service in the second set. He then dismissed two 3-0 balls suggesting the possibility of a jump, before calling on the physiotherapist. After a long exchange but no manipulation, the Spaniard briefly resumed the course of the match, before resolving to give up at 3-1. The shock, enticing, turning short.
Propelled into the semi-finals, Felix Auger-Aliassime (8 aces; 79% of points scored on his 1st serve; 11 points out of 15 scored at the net; 2 break points converted out of 7; 15 winning points) completes the great Canadian story with the surprise Canadian semi-final Leylah Fernandez (19; 73rd in the world) who eliminated Elina Svitolina (seeded No. 5). As in 2014 at Wimbledon (Eugenie Bouchard and Milos Raonic) two Canadians will therefore be at the rendezvous of the last four of a major tournament. All smiles, "
FAA
" sums it up: "
It's an incredible stage, a fantastic tournament for me. The ending was weird today, I thought we were putting on a good show. But at the end of the day, I'm done. I will have the chance to play on Friday against one of the best players in the world right now for a chance to make my first Grand Slam final. It's amazing, I'm glad I passed and I will try to win the next game.
»Against Daniil Medvedev. In their only face-to-face, the Russian had hardly won 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9/7) in the second round in Toronto in 2018. Since the Canadian has matured, has affirmed and confirmed the promises made for a long time by a player in the spotlight of the news since the age of 14, who was an unfortunate finalist at Roland Garros in 2016 and who, like his idol Roger Federer, was born on August 8 ...