Felix auger-aliassime continues to make great strides on his beloved indoor courts and on Friday in Turin at the age of 25 he continued his process form.
Auger-Aliassime eliminated Alexander Zenverev – 4, 7-6 (4) To reach the last four of the ATP Finals for the first time and set up Saturday’s clash with Carlos Alcaraz.
“I think this tournament has the highest number of players,” said Auger-Aliassime. “You compete all year and this is a good one.
“You want to be in that position, you want to be in the finals, but I’m going to have to go through a big player to do that. Big respect for [Alcaraz] But I’ll take my chances when I have them. “
The Montreal native became the second Canadian man to reach the semifinals in ATP Finals history, and the first since Milos Recoic in 2016, with his win. He also jumped to the highest category of No.5 in the ATP Live rankings thanks to his fourth career win over zvevev, and the second in the last four months (also in the US open, in four sets).
After nine consecutive service holdings could be a little exposed by zvevev which led to the quick end of the SET. The German, to his credit, fought back from a 0-40 hole in the tenth game, but he dragged his feet in the next round, which would end up being his thing.
“One player was playing to win and one player was playing not to lose,” said Colin Fleming, who was commenting on the match for the ATP World Feed Courset.
Auger-Aliassime took the gift of a vollel bound by zveliv and converted his fourth set point with an angled forehand winner that closed the opening stanza in 51 minutes.
“I think it was a good place to start,” Muger-Alias said. “I thought he was getting a few chances but I was coming well and working well every time to save them.”
Zreev was anointed in his coffin as if to say; What the heck happened? It was a hard pill to swallow for zvelv, who had only won two set points and produced four fiery service leads to start the match, dropping three points to serve before taking the balls at 4-5.
Auger-Aliassomu started sadly in his box, a beautiful look in his eyes.
The second set was more difficult than the first, but the same person emerged.
Five break points are requested – three by auger-aliassime, two by zvevev – in the three match point that left the pair to work at 3-2, and they stayed that way until then.
And it was Auger-AliasShime who delivered the goods in the second half of the 75th minute with a strong push that took his record to 20-3.
“Fortunately it was intense for both of us,” said Auger-Aliassime. “I have been able to serve, and the bone was strong until the end.”
Auger-Aliassime leads the way in ATP Indoor wins this decade with 84, with seven of his eight ATP titles coming indoors. He is 17-4 overall in 2025.
The semi-finals are set for Saturday in Turin, with defending champion Jannik Sonner taking on Alex de Minaur at the other end.
