photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Félix Auger-Aliassime required limited court time to book his place in the round of 16 in Madrid, storming past Jakub Mensik 6-1, 1-0 (ret.) in 35 minutes.
In the first career meeting between the players, the Canadian’s skillset and experience proved too much for the 18-year-old. Auger-Aliassime took charge early, pressuring his Czechian opponent to draw an early break and build a quick 3-0 lead.
The Canadian continued his dominance from there, winning 92 percent of first serve points and controlling play from the baseline. The 23-year-old seized a second break of serve to love for a 5-1 lead before closing out the first set comfortably in just 27 minutes.
Read more: Shapovalov bounced from Madrid by Zverev again
Mensik, with his right arm heavily taped up, looked physically compromised midway through the match as his service speed noticeably dipped and his intensity wilted.
Auger-Aliassime would break again to begin the second set before the Czechian officially retired from the match.
The Montreal native won 28 of a possible 39 points and converted all three of his break point chances in a convincing display. It’s the first time this season that the Canadian has won three consecutive matches at an event.
He returns to the round of 16 of a Masters 1000 tournament for the first time since Indian Wells 2023. He’ll face three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud next.