Hat Trick for FAA
Felix Auger-Aliassime made it three titles in three weeks, overcoming young Danish star, Holger Rune 6-3, 7-5 in the final of the ATP 500 event in Basel, Switzerland.
Auger-Aliassime’s fourth career title extends his winning streak to 13 matches and sees him rise to sixth in the ATP race to Turin, 725 points clear of seventh-placed Taylor Fritz.
Just like it had all week, Auger-Aliassime’s serve proved to be the difference in the final. He did not face a break point in the first set as he powered through the majority of his service games. The fourth game of the first set proved to be the difference as Rune gifted his Canadian opponent a break of serve.
The contest lifted a level in the second set as both men searched for the upper hand. Rune found his rhythm with some scintillating shot-making. However, despite having numerous break point opportunities, Rune did not manage to be the first person to break Auger-Aliassime’s serve all week.
In a tense final set, it was Auger-Aliassime who gained a decisive break of serve in the 11th game of the set. He was able to calmy serve out the set to complete a memorable three weeks.
After losing the first eight finals of his career, Auger-Aliassime has now won four out of his last five finals on the ATP Tour.
Auger-Aliassime was thrilled when his level of tennis on route to his third title in as many weeks.
“It’s been an amazing week,” Auger-Aliassime said.
“Once again in the final, not getting broken all week… [It’s been] a long year, a long stretch of wins, and it’s not over. So hopefully I can keep going, but right now I’m feeling all the good emotions that come with winning a tournament. It’s amazing.”
Both men will now turn their attention to the Paris Masters for the final ATP tour- event of the year.
Medvedev Prevails in Vienna
Daniil Medvedev fought back from a set down to defeat Denis Shapovalov 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to claim the Vienna Open.
Medvedev’s second title of the season and 15th of his career will also ensure he competes at his fourth consecutive ATP Finals.
The match was an entertaining affair with Shapovalov’s shot-making and Medvedev’s incredible movement around the court on full display.
It was Shapovalov who struck the first blows of the match, breaking Mededev’s serve in back-to-back games to lead 4-1. Despite Medvedev managing to gain one break of serve back, Shapovalov’s 21 winners proved too much to handle as closed out the opening sets
Both men exchanged early breaks of serve in the second set before Medvedev broke again to level the match at a set apiece. Medvedev’s precision ball striking and his ability to keep the ball in play proved the difference as raced through the second set to claim the biggest title of his year.
Post-match, Medvedev was thrilled with the level of tennis he was able to produce.
“I am really happy,” Medvedev said.
“This match was the best of the week because Denis was really playing unreal until probably 4-3 in the second set. He dropped his level by maybe two per cent and I was able to use it. This is one of the best victories when you know your opponent is on top of you, but you try and stay there and do what you can.”
Despite falling short of the title, Shapovalov would be pleased with his form, having made two tour-level finals in the past month.
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