CINCINNATI –
Felix Auger-Aliassime secured a place in the quarterfinals with a 2-6, 7-6 (1), 6-1 comeback win over Jannik Sinner at the Western & Southern Open Masters-level tennis tournament on Thursday.
Seventh-seeded Auger-Aliassime fired 14 aces at Sinner’s four as he changed the momentum with a strong effort in the tie-break to win the second set.
Montreal’s Auger-Aliassime went down early in the first set 3-0 before winning his first game. He broke the tenth-placed Italian on three of eight occasions.
The 22-year-old Canadian next plays Borna Coric on Friday, who defeated Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 6-3.
Earlier in the day, Denis Shapovalov gave up two breaks in game 11 in a 7-5, 7-5 loss to world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev in the third round.
Shapovalov displayed spot flashes throughout the game, particularly in the ninth game of the second set. He fended off four break points to take a 5-4 lead after winning a game that lasted nine minutes and 42 seconds.
However, there is little room for error when facing Medvedev. After the Russian held serve to level the game 5-5, Shapovalov fell behind early in the 11th game, committing a forced error at the net on the first point and then a double fault to lose 30-15.
Shapovalov separated the game 30-30, but Medvedev won the next two points and ended the break when Shapovalov ended an eight-volley rallies with his 21st unforced error of the game.
Medvedev served with love in the decisive game to win in an hour and 46 minutes.
Richmond Hill, Ontario, native Shapovalov grabbed an early break in the opener but converted his only break point of the game in game eight to level the set 4-4.
After both players saved, Medvedev converted his fourth break point in Game 11 to take a 6-5 lead. In the following game he set the set point with an ace and then won it when Shapovalov failed to serve.
Medvedev has won three straight games against Shapovalov and leads the career streak 3-2.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on August 18, 2022.