Félix Auger-Aliassime was ousted in the US Open second round as the Canadian No. 1 fell to world No. 50 Karen Khachanov 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 on Thursday.
The 26-year-old from Montreal had a strong first set, firing nearly half of his 43 winners en route to winning the opener in a tiebreaker. However, Auger-Aliassime dipped after taking the opening set and didn’t look 100 per cent the rest of the way. The world No. 4 finished with 47 unforced errors, 30 of which came in the final three sets, and couldn’t generate anything on serve as he was broken five times over that span.
Auger-Aliassime didn’t allow Khachanov to get set early in the match. The Montrealer was aggressive, especially on return where a couple of finishes at the net sent the second game to deuce. A solid return soon gave the third seed break point, and he converted to grab the 2-0 advantage.
After winning his eighth-straight service point to consolidate the break, Auger-Aliassime got into some trouble on serve. The Canadian’s unforced errors began to pile up as he was broken from love-40 in his next two service games to hand Khachanov the 4-3 edge. However, Auger-Aliassime ended the world No. 50’s run of four-consecutive games, breaking back to level the opening set at 4-4.
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Both players finally found some rhythm on serve en route to the tiebreaker, which was deadlocked at three apiece heading into the changeover. Auger-Aliassime struck at 5-all, unleashing a crosscourt forehand winner for the mini-break. The two-time US Open semifinalist then sealed the tiebreaker on his delivery to take the set.
Auger-Aliassime couldn’t build off that momentum, though. The Canuck was broken in his opening service game over the next two sets and was unable to recover on each occasion, failing to capitalize on five break points in the second.
The struggles continued for Auger-Aliassime in the fourth as he couldn’t get anything going following a bathroom break. The Canadian was broken in back-to-back service games to begin the set and nearly suffered a third-straight loss of serve, but managed to hold from 0-4, love-40.
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Khachanov soon had the chance to serve for the match in the eighth game and capped off the victory with his 12th ace of the day at 5-2, 40-love. The former National Bank Open finalist earned his first win against a Top 10 opponent at a Grand Slam in seven years.
Two Canadians remain in singles play as Denis Shapovalov and Leylah Annie Fernandez both meet an American No. 1 on Friday.
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Feature Photo: Martin Sidorjak
