Félix Auger-Aliassime’s last match before Wimbledon won’t be in a final as the Canadian No. 1 lost 6-4, 6-4 to Dutch No. 1 Tallon Griekspoor in the Mallorca Championships semifinal on Friday.
Griekspoor had back-to-back wins against Canadian players en route to what will be his second final of 2025, having beaten Gabriel Diallo in the quarter-finals.
It was a matter of letting break points slip away for Auger-Aliassime as the world No. 27 failed to convert on six. Despite being broken twice in the match, the Canadian had the better service performance on paper, out-serving Griekspoor by winning 79 per cent of his first-serve points and recording 11 aces.
The Montreal-native was the more dominant of the two to start the match. In his opening three service games, the 24-year-old fired three aces while winning 89 per cent of his first-serve points
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At 30-all in the second game on the Dutchman’s serve, Auger-Aliassime used his speed to chase down a Griekspoor dropshot, giving the Canadian No. 1 a chance at an early break. However, the Dutchman responded with three-straight unreturned serves to hold.
Auger-Aliassime then held three more break points over his next two return games but once again, Griekspoor served well under pressure to keep the set level at 3-3.
Later at 4-4, 15-30, a winner from the Dutch No. 1 put the Canadian under his first wave of pressure on serve. Auger-Aliassime saved both break points but an unforced error gave Griekspoor another opportunity which he capitalized on.
Serving for the set, the world No. 34 held to take the opener.
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After an Auger-Aliassime love game to begin the second set, both players found themselves down 15-40 in their next service games. While Griekspoor held, the Montrealer was broken and trailed 3-1 after failing to break back.
The Dutchman just needed to hold onto his serve the rest of the way, which he did in dominant fashion. Griekspoor won 80 per cent of his first-serve points in the set, wrapping up the match with his 27th unreturned serve of the afternoon.
Auger-Aliassime’s next match will be at the All-England Club, opening his 2025 Wimbledon campaign against Australian James Duckworth.
Feature Photo: Martin Sidorjak
