[66] Jaume Munar (ESP) vs. [104] Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN)
In their two previous meetings (which were on clay), the Spaniard had the Canadian’s number. What did the Canadian do differently this time to get the straight-sets victory? He learned from those looses and with his growing confidence, he attacked the ball and kept the Spaniard from dictating play. He wobbled a bit; however, his composure after each set back was impressive. At his age he was capable of maintaining his calm and going right back to his plan, which is something many older players are unable to do.
Auger-Aliassime is just eighteen years old, and already he has captured the attention of the tennis world. He has never cracked the top hundred barrier; however, after this tournament he is guaranteed a career high ranking on Monday.
After his scare with tachycardia, the young Canadian is proving to everyone that he is fully recovered and ready to battle some of the best on clay. Auger-Aliassime was up against it right from the start of the tournament, he had to face the number two seed, Fabio Fognini, in the first round.
Many may not have picked him to upend Fognini on this surface; however, he did so in straight sets. Then he had to get by Christian Garin, an opponent he lost to just last week. He also defeated the Chilean in straight sets. Today he had to push from his memory the two previous losses against his opponent. He seemed to have done that with a brilliant start; however, the nerves kicked in along with some remnant of doubt and he was broken twice in the first set after he led the set 4-1.
Yet, he would not be denied this victory and he fought back to win the first set 6-4. Auger-Aliassime got the early break in the second set; however, Munar would not quit. The Spaniard broke back but the Canadian was determined to secure this victory and he dug deep. Serving brilliantly when it mattered, he got out of some tricky spots and he utilized his lethal forehand to push the Spaniard back and then finished him off with backhand winners down the line.
Despite the score, it was not an easy victory. The teenager had to work extremely hard to shake off the pesky Spaniard, who despite his thigh injury fought for every point. With the 6-4, 6-3 victory, the Canadian is into his first ATP Tour semifinals to face another tough opponent.
