Four years after reaching his maiden Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open, Felix Auger-Aliassime has returned to the last four in New York, coming through an extended and testing encounter against Alex de Minaur 4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-5, 7-6 (4).
It is the Canadian’s second appearance in the semi-finals of a major, with that run in 2021 remaining his deepest Grand Slam finish prior to this tournament.
De Minaur, meanwhile, was attempting to reach his first semi-final at this level at his sixth appearance in the quarter-finals.
Unfortunately for the Australian, however, this match will be remembered as a huge missed opportunity. After making an excellent start, claiming the first set with a single break of serve in the seventh game, De Minaur then failed to convert a set point in the second stanza for what would have been a commanding two-set lead.
Instead, it was Auger-Aliassime – who had trailed by a break earlier in the set – who clinched a tight tiebreak to draw level.
It was a grinding and physical contest, with the Canadian’s attacking prowess meeting the indefatigable defence of his opponent.
The third and fourth were equally close, with Auger-Aliassime the better player in the former before De Minaur raised his game again in the latter to earn the chance to serve for fourth at 5-3.
But there was another late twist as Auger-Aliassime broke back before claiming the tiebreak a few games later to seal safe passage into a second Grand Slam semi-final.
“I think it was just a lot of nerves today during the whole match,” the Canadian said in his on-court interview.
“It wasn’t pretty at all times but that’s what Grand Slam matches are – some days you won’t feel your best but I was willing to dig really deep to stand here right now.”
Auger-Aliassime will take on defending champion Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals in what will be the sternest examination of the Canadian’s title credentials.
