Montreal’s Felix Auger-Aliassime marked his comeback on the court with a triumph over Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Cincinnati Open. Auger-Aliassime, the second seed at the prestigious event, faced challenges with the wind during the match but managed to secure a 6-3, 7-5 victory.
Despite struggling to close out the match while leading 5-4 in the second set, the 26-year-old Canadian regrouped and eventually sealed the win with a powerful ace on match point. Auger-Aliassime acknowledged the difficult conditions caused by the wind, especially affecting his serve, but he was pleased to overcome the obstacles and clinch the victory after a 40-day break from competitive play.
Having faced Tsitsipas numerous times in the past, Auger-Aliassime celebrated only his fourth win in 11 encounters against the Greek player. Up next, he is set to battle Juan Cerundolo of Argentina, who upset the 25th seed in a thrilling match on Sunday.
In the women’s competition, Chinese qualifier Xiyu Wang defeated Leylah Fernandez of Laval, Quebec, in a hard-fought match that lasted over two hours. Wang, a former top-50 player, showcased a strong performance after a slow start, securing a 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Fernandez.
Fernandez, who recently impressed at the National Bank Open in Toronto, faced difficulties in her match against Wang, struggling with errors and double faults. Despite her efforts, Fernandez could not match Wang’s consistency in both return and service games, resulting in her elimination from the tournament.
The Cincinnati Open continues with exciting matchups, as players vie for success on the court in this prestigious event.
