Félix Auger-Aliassime required limited court time to book his place in the round of 16 in Madrid, storming past Jakub Mensik 6-1, 1-0 (ret.) in 35 minutes.
In the first career meeting between the players, the Canadian’s skillset and experience proved too much for the 18-year-old. Auger-Aliassime took charge early, pressuring his Czechian opponent to draw an early break and build a quick 3-0 lead.
See: Canadians in action
The Canadian continued his dominance from there, winning 92 percent of first serve points and controlling play from the baseline. The 23-year-old seized a second break of serve to love for a 5-1 lead before closing out the first set comfortably in just 27 minutes.
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Mensik, with his right arm heavily taped up, looked physically compromised midway through the match as his service speed noticeably dipped and his intensity wilted.
Auger-Aliassime would break again to begin the second set before the Czechian officially retired from the match.
The Montreal native won 28 of a possible 39 points and converted all three of his break point chances in a convincing display. It’s the first time this season that the Canadian has won three consecutive matches at an event.
He returns to the round of 16 of a Masters 1000 tournament for the first time since Indian Wells 2023. He’ll face three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud next.
