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Felix Auger-Aliassime US Open 2021
ATP Tennis Players, Tennis News, Tennis Tournaments

Auger-Aliassime edges closer to ATP Finals after comeback win over rival


Felix Auger-Aliassime has reached the Quarter-finals of the Vienna Open after battling past Cameron Norrie in a closely-contested match, increasing his chances of an ATP Finals spot at the same time.

The 21 year old Canadian and the tournament’s 6th seed overcame Norrie by two sets to one, losing the first set 6-2 but winning the remaining two sets 7-6 (8-6) and 6-4.

The evenly-contested second set reached a tie-break and Norrie took convincing 5-1 and 6-3 leads. However, Auger-Aliassime recovered impressively and went on to win 8-6 to take the set.

Norrie and Auger-Aliassime had only met on one occasion previously, with that encounter coming in the 2019 Indian Wells Open. Auger-Aliassime was the victor in straight sets.

Coming into the match, both Norrie and Auger-Aliassime were in similar positions in the ATP singles rankings with Auger-Aliassime ranked 12th and Norrie ranked 14th.

Both are also involved in a close battle for the final two qualifying spots for the Nitto ATP Finals. Race number 12 Auger-Aliassime and number 11 Norrie are competing with 7th placed Casper Ruud, 9th placed Hubert Hurkacz and 10th placed Jannik Sinner in the Race to Turin.

Djokovic, Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Zverev, Rublev and Berrettini have all already qualified for the finals leaving just two qualifying spaces left.

Hurkacz’ loss in the round of 32 against former World number one Andy Murray meant that Norrie needed to reach the semi-finals to overtake him in the ATP Singles race. This defeat sees Norrie remain behind Hurkacz ahead of the final qualifying event at the Rolex Paris Masters.

Auger-Aliassime now has the opportunity to close the 500 point gap on Norrie, depending on how far the Canadian progresses at the Vienna Open.

Sinner and Ruud are still competing in the round of 32 at the Vienna Open, with Ruud playing Italian Lorenzo Sonego and Sinner facing Austrian Dennis Novak

Auger-Aliassime will now face either Alex de Minaur or Alexander Zverev in the Quarter-finals.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.