Auger-Aliassime Brushes Dimitrov Aside
Ô, Canada! After Vasek Pospisil’s upset of Daniil Medvedev (6-4, 6-3), Felix Auger-Aliassime completed the Canadian clean sweep of the Rotterdam night session with a comprehensive 6-4, 6-2 win against Grigor Dimitrov, who had defeated Denis Shapovalov in the first round.
Felix Auger Aliassime during the 2020 indoor season.
For just the second time in 2020, Felix Auger-Aliassime has reeled off two consecutive wins — but those he claimed in Rotterdam against world No. 34 Jan-Lennard Struff in the first round and world No. 22 Grigor Dimitrov in the second (6-4, 6-2) feel far more impressive than the two he notched against Aussies James Duckworth and Alex Bolt in Adelaide, with all due respect.
After disappointing ATP Cup and Australian Open campaigns, the 19-year-old Canadian’s season is finally gaining some steam.
Against Dimitrov, Auger-Aliassime marched on, securing one break in the first set and two in the second, where he showed out his large set of skills.
A little bit of everything and a LOT of style ?
Sensational from @felixtennis at @abnamrowtt #abnamrowtt pic.twitter.com/uDRF6cqnhj
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 12, 2020
My WORD this is some flexibility from @felixtennis — and an incredible backhand ??#abnamrowtt pic.twitter.com/K0EATyNn54
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 12, 2020
Dimitrov’s winners/unforced errors ratio was once again mediocre in his loss to Auger-Aliassime: 9/27.
?? Felix Auger-Aliassime into his first Quarter Final of 2020 def. Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 6-2 in Rotterdam…Solid effort from FAA who needed just 12 winners in match…GD 9 winners 27 unforced #ATP #abnamrowtt pic.twitter.com/BYDKnWS5Ic
— John Horn (@SportsHorn) February 12, 2020
While Auger-Aliassime is picking up his form, Dimitrov’s start of the season continues to fall apart.
Ousted in the second round of the Australian Open by world No. 80 Tommy Paul, the Bulgarian hasn’t managed to build on his US Open and Bercy semifinals from last year.
In the Rotterdam Round of 16, Auger-Aliassime will face the winner of Stefanos Tsitsipas v. Aljaz Bedene.
The Canadian is 2-1 against Tsitsipas at tour-level…
