After incomes three consecutive victories over Carlos Alcaraz of their head-to-head conferences, Félix Auger-Aliassime suffered his first loss by the hands of the Spaniard on Thursday night time within the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open, an ATP Masters 1000 occasion in Indian Wells, California.
The match’s no. 1 seed secured a hard-fought 6-4, 6-4 over the world no. 10 from Montreal beneath the lights at Stadium 1.
Each gamers showcased their expertise and talent all through the match, producing a number of spotlight reel factors. It was a extremely anticipated match and it definitely lived as much as its billing. Alcaraz put the stress on Auger-Aliassime from the outset. His courtroom protection and shot-making left the Canadian with out many solutions. Nonetheless, he nonetheless managed to save lots of 5 break factors earlier than lastly conceding on the Spaniard’s sixth alternative of the set. It marked the primary time he was capable of break Auger-Aliassime’s serve of their 4 conferences. With Alcaraz serving for the set at 5-4, Auger-Aliassime earned himself a break level likelihood, however he couldn’t convert.
The standard pictures continued to movement from each racquets in set two with the gamers exchanging breaks within the opening two video games. They held serve comfortably till the ninth sport when Alcaraz manufactured three extra break possibilities because of some nice returns and aggressive play coming ahead. He delivered on his third alternative and served out the match in convincing trend.
Regardless of the loss, Auger-Aliassime will earn helpful rating factors because of his run to the ultimate eight after shedding within the opening spherical final yr in Indian Wells. It’s an vital step in the fitting path in midst of a gradual begin to the 2023 season. He’ll look to maintain the momentum going on the Miami Open subsequent week.
