Félix Auger-Aliassime was again unable to crack the complex code that is Jannik Sinner as the Canadian No. 1 fell 6-3, 6-4 in the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters quarter-finals on Friday.
Sinner broke Auger-Aliassime twice on five attempts, once in each set as the Italian was relatively untroubled on his delivery. The world No. 2 won 79 per cent of his first-serve points and 71 per cent on his second, while easily saving the only break point he faced in the match.
The Italian piled the pressure right from Auger-Aliassime's opening service game, holding double break point at 0-1, 15-40. However, the Canadian held his nerve, winning his next seven service points to bring him to 1-2, 40-love, where the world No. 7 managed to remain level.
Auger-Aliassime faced a third break point at 2-3, 30-40, and a costly double fault put Sinner in the driver’s seat. The world No. 2 conceded just two points in as many services games the rest of the way, clinching the opening set in 44 minutes.
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In the second, Auger-Aliassime got his first break opportunity of the match at 1-2 but was unable to get his return in play as Sinner eventually held. The four-time major winner then found another gear later in the set, which put the Italian on the verge of a fourth-straight ATP Masters 1000 semifinal. Sinner was aggressive in the seventh game, firing three of his 18 winners on the day to power him to the eventual break.
After a love hold brought the former world No. 1 one-game away from the final four, Sinner comfortably served out the match at 5-4, getting the better of Auger-Aliassime for the fifth-straight contest.
The Montrealer leaves Monte-Carlo after becoming the first Canadian to reach at least the quarters of every ATP Masters 1000 event, following his round-of-16 win over Casper Ruud.
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Feature Photo: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
