Auger-Aliassime comes from behind to win in five sets

After guiding Canada to the ATP Cup title, Auger-Aliassime comes through a tough first round win at the Australian Open

Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 18, 2022 Canada’s Felix Auger Aliassime celebrates winning his first round match against Finland’s Emil Russuvuori || 218247_0319

Haresh Ramchandani

January 18, 2022

Australian Open 2022 | Draw | Order of play | Auger-Aliassime def Ruusuvuori (1st round)

Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime came from two sets to one down to defeat Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori and advance to the second round of the Australian Open on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old Auger-Aliassime needed three fours and 40 minutes to overcome the spirited challenge from the Finn 6-4, 0-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 and continue his excellent start to the 2022 season.

The ninth-ranked Canadian began the year by helping Canada win the ATP Cup for the first time, going 3-2 in singles in Sydney, which included a win over world No 3 Alexander Zverev.

Auger-Aliassime will be hoping to continue to his recent good run at the Grand Slams in Melbourne this fortnight. Still looking for his first ATP singles title, the Canadian reached his first Major quarter-final at Wimbledon and then went one better to reach his first Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open.

Speaking after the win, Auger-Aliassime complimented his opponent for giving him a tough time.

“It was not easy today, definitely. I think the score shows. Dealing with different conditions than what we’ve had the last few days, quite cold, windy as well. So I think there was a part of adapting to that. I have to say, my opponent, also, I think played a great match. I always really thought highly of him. I think he’s a great player and he showed it today. He made me analyze and rethink what I was doing many times in the match because he was playing well. But at the end it’s, sometimes it’s like this, the first rounds, and at the end every match is tough, so I’m just glad I was able to find a way through today.”

The Canadian, who added Toni Nadal to his coaching team in 2021, will next meet Spain’s Alejandro Davidoch Fokina, a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 winner over Australian wild card Alex Bolt.

I think matches, like today, two years ago, would have probably went out in three, four sets. Today I was able to win in five.
Felix Auger-Aliassime

Ausger-Aliassime added that while he was happy with his progress so far, he is always looking to improve and take his game to the next level.

“The majority of what I’ve done, I can’t complain. At the same time, you always, I’m never a person to be satisfied. I always want to be better. But I’m happy with my progress. I think just year after year I’ve just become a better player, a better person also. When I say that I mean mentally on the court. I think matches, like today, two years ago, would have probably went out in three, four sets. Today I was able to win in five.”

“So I think that shows my progress that I’ve made as a person mentally on the court. But of course, I wish I had won a lot of titles. I wish I was even higher always. But it’s the reality. Also at the same time it’s like this career is also accepting what you have and working to get more.”