Auger-Aliassime one win away from back-to-back titles after reaching Antwerp final

Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Frenchman Richard Gasquet 7-6 (2), 7-6 (3) to advance to the final of the European Open at the Lotto Arena in Antwerp on Saturday evening.

The top seed will play American Sebastian Korda next, trying to add the Antwerp crown to the one he won in Florence last weekend.

It will be a 12th career final for Auger-Aliassime, who took his record in finals to 2-9 when he won in Florence last weekend, beating American JJ Wolf in the final.

Earlier in the tournament, the 22-year-old Canadian won against French lucky loser Manuel Guinard (6-3, 6-3) and No 5 seed Daniel Evans (4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2).

Gasquet, ranked No 82, beat Swiss wildcard Stan Wawrinka (2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4), Swiss qualifier Dominic Stricker (7-6 (6), 7-5) and Belgian David Goffin (6-2, 7-6 (6)) in the previous rounds of the Antwerp Open.

Antwerp ATP 250, other semi-final result (Lotto Arena, EUR 648.130):

• Sebastian Korda beat Dominic Thiem: 6-7 (4), 6-3, 7-6 (4)