The chase for the eighth and final spot in the ATP Finals is still on for Félix Auger-Aliassime, and it hasn’t been easy.
The Canadian No.1 had to come back from a set down for the third-straight time at the Rolex Paris Masters, overcoming German Daniel Altmaier 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the round of 16 on Thursday.
Auger-Aliassime’s strong serving kept his quest for a place in the year-end championships alive, winning 87 per cent of his first-serve points in the match and saving four of five break points. The world No. 10 now has to win his quarter-final match to keep his ATP Finals chances alive, a trip to the final in Paris will clinch him a spot after Lorenzo Musetti’s second-round exit.
Early on, it already looked like Auger-Aliassime was going to have to mount another comeback after a slow start to the first set. The Canadian was broken in a 15-minute opening service game, then piled the pressure on Altmaier’s serve but the German came out with a hold, saving break point to go 3-0 in front.
Auger-Aliassime continued to test Altmaier on his delivery, but the world No. 50 managed to hold twice more, needing a combined 24 minutes to do so to inch closer to taking the opener, up 5-2.
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Serving for the set at 5-3, 30-all, Altmaier’s net play earned him match point, and the German No. 2 capitalized with his tenth winner of the opener.
Auger-Aliassime’s comeback bid nearly got off to a less-than-ideal start, facing break point at 2-2, 30-40. However, the Montrealer turned that around into a hold plus some break opportunities for himself in the ensuing game. Auger-Aliassime broke on the third try and, after a love hold, he was one game away from forcing a decider at 5-2.
The Canadian No. 1 later served out the set, winning 11-straight service points to seal the second.
In between sets, Altmaier’s five-minute toilet break didn’t halt Auger-Aliassime’s momentum. The world No. 10 broke right out of the gate then extended his service-point streak to 15, firing four unreturned serves to lead 2-0.
The Canadian’s job was to hold the rest of the way and he’d book his ticket into the quarter-final in Paris. With Altmaier serving at 2-4, love-30, Auger-Aliassime scrambled and executed a brilliant passing shot for triple break point, which the Canuck converted to gain the opportunity to serve out the match.
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Auger-Aliassime needed just one match point as he capped off the contest with his seventh ace of the day.
Shanghai champion Valentin Vacherot now stands in the way of the Montrealer’s chance to qualify for the year-end championships in Turin. Auger-Aliassime will meet the Monégasque in the quarter-final on Friday.
Feature Photo: Rolex Paris Masters
