Felix Auger-Aliassime experienced the vibrant energy of New York City, known for its non-stop atmosphere. His first-round singles match at the U.S. Open lasted three hours and 19 minutes, including a rain delay, where he triumphed over Australia’s Rinky Hijiata in a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory.
Reflecting on the match, Auger-Aliassime shared that despite facing challenges from his long-time acquaintance, he secured a spot in the next round. He showcased an impressive performance with 17 aces, 48 winners, and 11 double faults, along with 50 unforced errors. Winning 18 out of 22 service games and six out of 21 return games, Auger-Aliassime now looks forward to facing Russian player Karen Khachanov in the upcoming match.
In another match, Denis Shapovalov from Richmond Hill, Ont., will compete in his second-round men’s singles match against Luca Van Assche of France. Shapovalov’s victory over Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia set the stage for this upcoming match, while Van Assche secured a win against Britain’s Cameron Norrie.
Additionally, Leylah Fernandez from Laval, Que., is gearing up for her second-round women’s singles match against Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand. Fernandez’s previous win against Shuai Zhang of China and Sawangkaew’s triumph over Panna Udvardy of Hungary have set the stage for an exciting match ahead.
