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June was another month to remember for Félix Auger-Aliassime – though, in truth, it feels like every other day he’s making another significant stride in his young career. Reaching a career-high ranking of No. 21 on June 10th saw the 18 year old from Montreal move to the verge of the ATP Tour’s top 20.
The month started with a run to the final of the Stuttgart Open in Germany. On his way to setting up a match with No. 20-ranked Matteo Berrettini, Auger-Aliassime overcame Ernests Gulbis of Latvia, Gilles Simon of France and Dustin Brown of Germany.
He was due to face fellow Canadian Milos Raonic in the semi-finals, but his compatriot was forced to withdraw due to injury. The youngster’s clash with Berrettini in the final ended in heartbreak as he fell 6-4, 7-6(11) to the Italian.
Two match points saved, but couldn’t save a third.
Félix Auger-Aliassime falls 6-4, 7-6(11) to Mateo Berrettini at the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart, his third final of the year. A tough one to lose, but inches closer to the Top 20.
Great week, Félix! #FélixRising pic.twitter.com/MFV62jb4bl
— Tennis Canada (@TennisCanada) June 16, 2019
Next up for Auger-Aliassime was a trip to the UK, where he took part in the Queen’s Club Championships. Once again, the Montrealer went on an impressive run, dispatching Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, Australian Nick Kyrgios and top-seed Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece.
In the semi-finals, Auger-Aliassime took on Feliciano Lopez, currently ranked No. 54. He won a tightly-contested first set 7-6(3) but lost the next two sets 6-3, 6-4 to the Spaniard, who went on to win the singles final against Simon as well as the doubles final alongside Great Britain’s Andy Murray.
Regardless, it was another stellar few weeks for Auger-Aliassime, who has been named our Canadian Star of the Month for June 2019. Congrats Félix!
Honourable Mentions
Leylah Annie Fernandez can feel slightly aggrieved to miss out on our Star of the Month award. The 16 year old from Laval, QC became the first Canadian ever to win the French Open junior title following an emphatic 6-2, 6-3 victory over Emma Navarro of the United States.
Gabriela Dabrowski also narrowly missed out. The 27 year old from Ottawa, ON reached the mixed doubles final at Roland-Garros but lost to Latisha Chan and Ivan Dodig. Her June also included a quarter-final appearance at the Nottingham Open alongside regular doubles partner Xu Yifan.
