If there’s one identify Félix Auger-Aliassime doesn’t wish to see in his part of the draw at any match, it have to be Daniil Medvedev, particularly on the Australian Open.
The Canadian noticed his run on the yr’s first main come to an finish on Saturday by the hands of the previous world No. 1 in straight units. Auger-Aliassime is now 0-7 in opposition to Medvedev, together with two losses within the final three years in Melbourne, and has misplaced ten units in a row after a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 defeat within the third spherical of the 2024 version.
This yr’s conflict was no repeat of the 2022 epic within the quarter-finals, the final time the Canadian took a set in opposition to the 2021 US Open champion, as Medvedev received off to a fast begin and by no means relinquished management, benefiting from some sloppy play by Auger-Aliassime to advance in straight units.
Too many errors price the Canadian on this conflict, as he dedicated 43 unforced errors whereas solely connecting on 19 winners. His serve lacked its common dominance, solely successful 67 per cent of his first serve factors and being damaged 5 occasions.
Medvedev was way more environment friendly, successful 78 per cent of his first serve factors and hitting 23 winners to 25 unforced errors. He additionally broke serve in each recreation the place he held break factors within the match.
The 2-time Australian Open finalist was coming in on shorter relaxation after ending his spherical two match effectively after 3 am on Friday morning in Melbourne, however he didn’t have to be sharp to begin the match as Auger-Aliassime dedicated 5 forehand unforced errors within the third recreation alone to go down an early break.
Learn additionally: Australian Open Males’s Energy Rankings
Defending his serve effectively, Medvedev held on by way of the primary set and ended up being gifted a second break when the Montrealer double-faulted on set level.
Auger-Aliassime shortly put that robust end behind him and got here out a lot stronger to begin the second set, benefiting from an error-filled recreation from Medvedev to interrupt within the opening recreation and backed it up with a maintain to like.
However regardless of the Canadian transferring as far forward as 3-1, his momentum was short-lived. Within the sixth recreation, Auger-Aliassime’s forehand vanished and he dedicated 4 unforced errors off that wing to place the set again on serve.
The forehand, usually Auger-Aliassime’s most dominant rally shot, continued to let him down at key moments. As he served to remain within the second set, he missed three in a row to as soon as once more be damaged to drop the set.
Learn additionally: Australian Open Girls’s Energy Rankings
Of their 2022 quarter-final, Medvedev rallied from two units down to interrupt the Canadian’s coronary heart. Auger-Aliassime had an opportunity to return the favour on this conflict two years later however was going to want to extend his consistency. Nevertheless, there are few gamers on tour as troublesome to discover a rhythm in opposition to as Medvedev.
The self-proclaimed hard-court specialist continued to frustrate Auger-Aliassime within the third set, sending each ball again and the Canadian was not hanging the ball constantly sufficient to discover a resolution.
Within the fourth recreation, extra unforced errors flew off the Canadians racket to arrange a break level, which Medvedev gladly claimed with a forehand crosscourt winner.
Learn additionally: Shapovalov, Diallo, Galarneau, and Pospisil to Characterize Canada on the Davis Cup Qualifiers in Montreal
Regardless that Auger-Aliassime wouldn’t lose one other level on serve, he did not create a break-back alternative as Medvedev held on to stay good in opposition to the Canadian.
Reaching the third spherical of this yr’s Australian Open was nonetheless Auger-Aliassime’s finest Grand Slam end result since final yr’s journey to Melbourne, the place he reached the fourth spherical, snapping a three-Slam streak of shedding within the first spherical. He has not reached the quarter-finals of any main for the reason that loss to Medvedev at Melbourne Park in 2022.
With the defeat, no Canadians stay in singles on the 2024 Australian Open. Gabriela Dabrowski remains to be alive within the girls’s and blended doubles. Rob Shaw will compete within the quad wheelchair occasions and Keegan Rice shall be competing within the junior boys competitors, which have but to start.
