Félix Auger-Aliassime continues his push to qualify for the ATP Finals, delivering his best performance of the week on Friday at the Paris Masters. The Canadian is into the semifinals of the year’s final Masters 1000 event for the second time in his career after a convincing straight-set win over Valentin Vacherot in the quarters.
Vacherot has been the big surprise on the ATP Tour in the month of October, shocking the world with a title in Shanghai and constantly giving top players a hard time. But Auger-Aliassime had no trouble with the Monegasque, powering past him 6-2, 6-2.
Just by reaching the semifinals in Paris, Auger-Aliassime ensured that he would not be eliminated from the Race to Turin this week. Even if he loses in the semifinals, he could still qualify with a strong result next week in Metz. If he reaches the final in Paris, he will move into the final qualifying spot.
It was a serving clinic from the Canadian, as he dropped just six points on serve in the entire match. He did face a pair of break points but saved both. 18 per cent of Auger-Aliassime's serves were unreturned. His rally game was also dialled in, as he had 22 winners to just 10 unforced errors.
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After slow starts in his previous three matches, Auger-Aliassime took it to Vacherot right from the start. The Canadian began applying pressure on his opponent’s serve in a marathon opening game that lasted 12 minutes and required seven deuces. On his third break point of the game, Auger-Aliassime punched a tightly-angled backhand return crosscourt that the Monegasque couldn’t handle to take a quick lead.
Also unlike his previous matches, the Montrealer’s serve was clicking right from the start. At 2-1, 40-love, Vacherot fired a forehand winner to record what was his first and only return point won in the set. Auger-Aliassime won 16 of 17 points on his own delivery in the opening frame. While one break would have been enough when serving like that, the Canadian added a second break, to love, in the fifth game as he dominated the first set.
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During his hot run, Vacherot has made a habit of pulling out wins after losing the first set. But Auger-Aliassime was not about to let him build any momentum early in the second set. The Canadian again had a chance to break in the opening game of the set and then in the fifth game, a big forehand put him up 15-40 and Vacherot double-faulted to surrender the break.
Auger-Aliassime kept his foot on the gas right to the finish line. He ended the match on a five-game run, including a pair of breaks, although he did have to battle to close out the win.
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When the Canadian served for the match at 5-2, a Vacherot volley winner gave the Monegasque a 15-40 opening, his first break points of the day. But Auger-Aliassime was not to be denied, blasting an ace followed by a forehand winner to erase the threat before converting his first match point.
Standing between Auger-Aliassime and a second Masters 1000 final, and potentially a spot at the ATP Finals, will be 13th seed Alexander Bublik. The Canadian leads the head-to-head 3-2. Auger-Aliassime would pass Lorenzo Musetti and move into eighth in the Race to Turin by reaching the final, but he would only qualify by winning the title.
Feature Photo : Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
