Felix Auger-Aliassime beats Frances Tiafoe to enter US Open quarters

Canada’s youngster Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated American Frances Tiafoe to enter the US Open quarterfinals as he won by 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(6), 6-4 in the fourth round. The 21-year old from Montreal came up with his best to topple the home favorite as he played at the top of his game on Sunday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium at the Flushing Meadows.

The Canadian became the youngest player since Argentina’s Juan del Martin Potro in 2008-09 to reach two consecutive quarterfinals of the Grand slam. The youngster smashed 55 winners and won 83% of his first-serve points.

However, Auger lost the opening set by 4-6 and admitted that it was a nervous start for him against the hard-hitting American.

“It was a tough start from me, a lot of nerves,” Auger-Aliassime said. “After I tried to recover I felt like I could have been able to break back in the first set but it is what it is, you’ve got to accept it.

“I played a great second set. That third set was almost a coin toss. I did feel like I had what it took to win that set and I just had to stay strong on my serve in the end. I’m really happy to be through.”

Meanwhile, Auger will now face 18-year youngster Carlos Alcaraz, who has become the youngest player to enter the US Open quarterfinal. The Canadian is expecting a tough competition from the Spaniard and heaped praise on his upcoming opponent.

“He’s a great player. At some point, age is just a number. He already feels like a player who’s established,” Auger-Aliassime said. “He’s playing some amazing tennis so I think we’ll see a lot of him, a lot of us, a lot of Frances in the future.”