Felix Auger-Aliassime understands the reputation of New York as the city that never sleeps. Following a late start and a marathon match lasting three hours and 19 minutes, including a 55-minute rain delay, the Montreal tennis sensation can empathize with the non-stop energy of The Big Apple.
Auger-Aliassime, ranked third at the U.S. Open, secured victory in his first-round singles match on Monday night by overcoming Australia’s Rinky Hijiata with a score of 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Reflecting on the match, Auger-Aliassime commented, “We’ve known each other since we were around 10 years old, but this was our first competitive encounter. He posed significant challenges, but the most important thing is that I’m through to the next round.”
The Canadian impressively delivered 17 aces, 48 winners, and 11 double faults, alongside 50 unforced errors. Auger-Aliassime triumphed in 18 out of 22 service games and six out of 21 return games. He now progresses to face Russian player Karen Khachanov, who defeated Roman Burruchaga of Argentina in straight sets.
In another upcoming match, Denis Shapovalov from Richmond Hill, Ont., is set to compete in his second-round men’s singles match against Luca Van Assche from France on Wednesday. Shapovalov secured a victory against Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia in four sets on Sunday, while Van Assche also won in four sets against Britain’s Cameron Norrie.
Furthermore, Leylah Fernandez from Laval, Que., is scheduled to play her second-round women’s singles match against Mananchaya Sawangkaew from Thailand on Wednesday. Fernandez emerged victorious against Shuai Zhang of China in straight sets on Sunday, while Sawangkaew also won in straight sets against Panna Udvardy of Hungary.