Felix Auger-Aliassime secured the European Open championship for the second time in his career, showcasing his resilience in a demanding final against Jiri Lehecka. The event, which has shifted its venue from Antwerp to Brussels, saw the Canadian triumphed with a scoreline of 7-6(2), 6-7(6), 6-2. This victory not only added to Auger-Aliassime’s impressive season but also bolstered his chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals set to take place next month.
At 25 years old, Auger-Aliassime recently entered a new chapter in his life, having just married. The final was particularly tense, with the Montreal native narrowly missing two championship points during a tightly contested second-set tiebreaker. However, he maintained focus and clearly dominated the final set to secure his third title of the year and his first since tying the knot.
Reflecting on the match, Auger-Aliassime expressed satisfaction, saying, “It’s the final, so we put everything on the line. I feel like we were both extremely focused from the beginning. It was a high level for two sets, then you don’t know how things can go… But I’m obviously glad.”
The match was characterized by powerful serving, with Auger-Aliassime utilizing his exceptional first serve alongside solid groundstrokes to control the dynamics in the deciding set. He ended the contest with an impressive tally of 17 aces and successfully defended all three break points he faced.
Praising his opponent, Auger-Aliassime showed great sportsmanship, stating, “I have so much respect for him as a person, as a player. He’s a great guy. Since he’s been on Tour, we’ve gotten along very well, so credit to him and his team; they do a fantastic job.”
With this latest title under his belt, Auger-Aliassime now shares the record for the most ATP titles won by a Canadian in the Open Era, tying with fellow countryman Milos Raonic. This achievement not only highlights his individual talent but also underscores the growing prowess of Canadian tennis on the global stage. As he continues to climb the ATP rankings, the drive for further accomplishments remains evident in his competitive spirit.
