MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Felix Auger-Aliassime as soon as once more discovered Daniil Medvedev an immovable object as he misplaced a titanic Australian Open quarter-final on Wednesday however the Canadian mentioned his efficiency confirmed he is able to battle for the game’s largest titles.
At final yr’s U.S. Open he was simply dispatched by Medvedev within the semi-finals, however this time the 21-year-old pushed the Russian prime seed to absolutely the restrict.
He was the higher participant for a lot of a 4 hour 42 minute contest and had a match level within the fourth set, and whereas shedding a two-set lead harm, the world quantity 9 remained upbeat.
“I all the time believed I may produce what I did tonight,” Auger-Aliassime mentioned after his 6-7(4) 3-6 7-6(2) 7-5 6-4 defeat on Rod Laver Arena.
“I confirmed it, however positively it is the distinction between figuring out that you’ve this inside of you and truly exhibiting up and doing it and being shut from profitable, one level shut.
“At the top of the day I believe it is a good message that I ship to my fellow gamers, the folks I’m competing with. I imply, I’m prepared to check myself with the most effective, and I’ve proved it now time after time.”
The Canadian, who added Rafa Nadal’s uncle Toni to his teaching set-up final yr, struck 64 winners and gained 78% of factors on his first serve and the one blots on his copybook had been a pair of lapses at essential occasions.
Against lesser gamers he may need received away with it however U.S. Open champion Medvedev was relentless as he produced a back-to-the-wall show to ultimately prevail and take his profession document over the Canadian to 4-0.
“It’s no shock he is the place he’s now. He fights, tries to seek out options,” Auger-Aliassime mentioned. “He performs effectively when he must. I believe that is the large distinction, we noticed the gamers taking part in good this week, they play effectively when it issues.
“I believe he was just a bit bit extra stable at occasions.
“I’m trying ahead to the following time I can put myself in that scenario once more. I imagine I can cross the road. I’m going to depart Australia with my head held excessive.”
(Reporting by Martyn Herman, enhancing by Pritha Sarkar)
