Auger-Aliassime keeps Canada’s hopes alive by beating Musetti

Felix Auger-Aliassime didn’t waste much time on court on Thursday in order to bring Canada back to 1-1 against Italy after the defeat of Denis Shapovalov against Lorenzo Sonego. Despite a tight head-to-head (2-2) against Lorenzo Sonego, the Canadian took over in straight sets (6-3, 6-4).

Impressive on his serve, he didn’t face a single break point and never really looked like he was in any kind of difficulty against Musetti even when down 0-30 on his last service game. Auger-Aliassime, one of the most in-form players of the end of the year, proved to be way too solid on his baseline for the Italian. Musetti, always a danger when allowed to stay in the rallies, got no chance to enter Auger-Aliassime’s game or brain today: the Canadian was playing too fast and too aggressively for that.

Read also

Auger-Aliassime beats Otte and brings Canada back on track in the Davis Cup QF

Tennis Majors

Oozing confidence, the 6th player in the world (22yo) had all the answers against Musetti (23rd in the world at 20yo), despite all the expectations being again on his shoulders for Canada, and put enough pressure on the Italian to prevent him from starting to gain momentum.

He actually put so much pressure that Musetti kind of collapsed on his serve at 4-4 in the second set, spraying unforced errors on his forehand. As in the quarter-finals, Felix Auger-Aliassime played the part his status as leader demanded. And now Canada can still hope to play the first Davis Cup final of the country’s history. For this, Auger-Aliassime will now have to do double duty as Denis Shapovalov, who played over three hours and suffered from his back in the third set, is unable to play the double with Vasek Pospisil. Will “FAA” be made of steel again?

Read also

“We’re definitely looking for that title this week but obviously every match is so tough” – Canada stays hungry for first Davis Cup title

Tennis Majors