MARSEILLE, France – Quebec’s Felix Ozer-Aliasim has not been able to repeat his performance since last week, when he secured his first ATP career title as a single.
The third winner Auger-Aliassime lost 7-5, 7-6 (4) to Russian Andrey Rublev in the final of the ATP 250 tournament in Marseille, France.
If the 21-year-old had beaten Roublef last week in the semifinals of the Rotterdam tournament, his opponent offered him a better opponent this time.
“He played well,” said Auger-Aliassime. At the end of the day, I think he was the one who played the best game. He deserved the victory. »
Auger-Aliassime, however, never gave up. One game before losing the second set, he won 10 consecutive rallies to close a two-game deficit and push the inning into the tiebreak.
The 24-year-old Russian, however, did not intend to miss the opportunity to win a first tournament after Rotterdam in 2021. Even after losing to two Auger-Aliassime aces, he took advantage of the serve to confirm his victory.
“I had to upload my game, because otherwise I would not have the opportunity against Felix,” Rublev admitted. When he fell 4-5, he started playing even better.
“I thought we would go to the third set, but I managed to improve too. It was difficult towards the end. »
The duel lasted one hour and 56 minutes.
As he did against the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Rotterdam final, Auger-Aliasim broke his opponent’s serve early in the duel and led 2-0. However, Rublev responded in the next game by breaking Quebecer’s serve in turn, to equalize at 2-2 in the first set.
The Russian broke Auger-Aliassime’s serve again in the first set, which he won 7-5 in 56 minutes.
After breaking once again early in the second set, Auger-Aliassime had no resources. However, he saved the day with a great forehand in the line that allowed him to draw 3-3 in the second set.
Rublev looked disappointed at the time, but recovered as soon as he returned from a short break and won the next two games.
A game away from defeat, Auger-Aliassime gave everything to extend the duel. He led 40-0 in his serve, before forcing Rublev into the net to bring the second set to 4-5.
But Quebec was not satisfied. He won the next four games to break Rublev’s serve and tie the game. In contrast to the first moments of the fight, he was in complete control, to the applause of the people, obviously impressed by his persistence.
Rublev had a hard time putting him in the next game, but Auger-Aliasim finally managed to keep his serve to regain the lead.
The Russian managed to push the set into a tie break again and win.
Last week in Rotterdam, Quebec beat Rublev in three sets 6-7 (5), 6-4 and 6-2, before beating Tsitsipas in the final to win his first singles title at the ATP track.
“I had two very good weeks to remember,” said the ninth racket in the world. It was amazing to get my first title, but being able to get back to the final a week later is a great start to the year.
“I hope to be able to build on these successes for future tournaments. »
Auger-Aliassime had lost the first two matches of his career against Rublev.
“We have had close meetings with Felix since 2018,” Rublev said. He started the season well and is one of the best players today. »
It was the 10th career final in the ATP for Auger-Aliassime. Quebec, active on the track since 2017, had lost the first eight before his coronation in Rotterdam.
