Felix Auger-Aliassime didn’t produce his best tennis on Friday, but found a way to win and reach the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament semi-finals.
The 19-year-old Canadian saved one set point in the second set tie-break en route to beating Aljaz Bedene 6-4, 7-6(6) over one hour and 51 minutes. He will next play Pablo Carreno Busta, who saved two match points in a thrilling victory over Jannik Sinner.
“He didn’t give me a lot, but I was clutch in the first set to break him at 5-4,” said Auger-Aliassime. “Outside of that he didn’t give me much. We know he can beat some good players, including this week and throughout his career. You know you’ve got to earn it, but you’ll get your chances – and I did.
“In the second set, I was a little bit frustrated with myself how he came back and I gave away too many free points. I felt like he was playing better and better, and I had to accept the challenge. The tie-break could have gone so many ways, but I am happy with the way I fought.”
Auger-Aliassime, who hit 22 winners, led by a set and 3-0 before Bedene recovered and held a set point at 6/5 in the tie-break. Auger-Aliassime, who saved the set point with a forehand approach off a big serve down the middle, becomes the first Canadian into the Rotterdam semi-finals since Milos Raonic in 2015 (l. to Wawrinka).
World No. 21 Auger-Aliassime struck two forehands winners to break Bedene and clinch the 47-minute opener. He won five straight games from 4-4 in the first set to 3-0 in the second set, including 21 of 30 points.
