Félix Auger-Aliassime appeared like his previous self once more on Wednesday on the Cincinnati Open as he cruised previous Aleksandar Kovacevic in straight units within the first spherical.
After a tiring couple of weeks that included deep runs on the Olympics after which a fast turnaround to play in Montreal, the Canadian was again to firing enormous forehands as he overwhelmed his American opponent 6-3, 6-1.
Whereas his winner depend was not as excessive as it may be, simply 9 with two aces, the Canadian’s large hitting brought on Kovacevic issues and the American cracked beneath strain, committing 20 unforced errors. Auger-Aliassime broke serve 5 occasions, all in a row, within the win.
It took a while for Auger-Aliassime to seek out his vary and get a really feel for Kovacevic’s energy. The American hung in till 3-all when the Canadian began to take management. He had a 15-40 benefit and, regardless of Kovacevic saving the primary two break factors together with one with a spectacular forehand off an Auger-Aliassime smash, the Montrealer used his deep forehand to induce an error on a 3rd and take the break.
Learn additionally: Auger-Aliassime Finishes Fourth in Singles at Olympics
Because the set went alongside, Auger-Aliassime started to claim himself increasingly. When Kovacevic served to remain within the set a 3-5, the Canadian bullied him across the courtroom with a collection of big groundstrokes, breaking to like to wrap up the opener.
His excessive stage carried over into the second set as Kovacevic couldn’t deal with the warmth Auger-Aliassime was throwing at him within the rallies. By breaking within the American’s first two service video games, the Canadian stretched his run to seven consecutive video games from 3-3 within the first to 4-0 within the second.
Because the second set went alongside, Kovacevic began to play his means into some Auger-Aliassime serve video games and even managed to reclaim a break with a giant forehand winner for 1-4. However he couldn’t defend his personal serve towards the Auger-Aliassime offensive onslaught and missed forehands on break level in each one in all his second-set service video games.
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Cincinnati is one in all two Masters 1000 occasions the place Auger-Aliasisme has reached not less than the quarter-finals twice. His 2024 path may be very difficult, nonetheless. Subsequent up will probably be a battle with No. 7 seed Casper Ruud. Their head-to-head is tied 3-3 after the Canadian gained each their conferences in 2024, each on clay, together with final month within the quarter-finals of the Olympics.
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