By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, November 4, 2022
Ace server Felix Auger-Aliassime exudes point-ending energy.
Driving a career-best 16-match profitable streak into tomorrow’s Rolex Paris Masters semifinals, Auger-Aliassime credit his tear with endurance.
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The eighth-seeded Canadian transformed his sixth match level dismissing Frances Tiafoe 6-1, 6-4 charging into the Paris ultimate 4 for the primary time.
It is Auger-Aliassime’s first Masters semifinal since he fell to defending champion John Isner within the 2019 Miami Open semifinals.
Locked in 🔒@felixtennis is a person on a mission.#RolexParisMasters pic.twitter.com/AZ9HLKyv4X
— ROLEX PARIS MASTERS (@RolexPMasters) November 4, 2022
As soon as tagged a supremely gifted shotmaker who could not win the massive one, Auger-Aliassime struggled to an 0-8 report in his first ATP finals.
Curiously, he credit the work he did after a loss—his US Open second-round defeat to Jack Draper—with serving to spark this “magical” run.
“After the US Open, I may observe. I went to the Davis Cup very early,” Auger-Aliassime mentioned. “I skilled so much bodily but additionally on the tennis courts. It pays off, really. It bears fruit in a short time.
“I’ve confidence in my work, in my self-discipline, however we by no means know when it’s going to repay. It is fairly magical to see that it occurs, and I am actually having fun with enjoying this manner. I believe I’ve reached a threshold that was throughout the quallies for the Masters. I managed to have consistency all year long.
“It’s totally valuable for a tennis participant. It gave me a confidence enhance, and I am very glad the place I stand proper now in my profession, and I hope to proceed as a lot as I can.”
Empowered by an ATP-best 27-4 indoors report, Auger-Aliassime will tackle red-hot Holger Rune in a rematch of final Sunday’s Basel ultimate, which the Canadian gained 6-3, 7-5.
Reflecting on his very good streak, Auger-Aliassime mentioned defeating 21-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic at Laver Cup in September—then watching the tape to grasp precisely how he defused the previous world No. 1—was key to his confidence.
Figuring out what went proper towards Djokovic has helped Auger-Aliassime replicate it towards the remainder of the ATP.
“I thought of it after Laver Cup once I defeated Djokovic. I wanted to know why I managed to win,” Auger-Aliassime mentioned. “It was not only a good day, that I used to be within the clouds, that I managed to serve on the suitable wave. No, I wanted to know what labored in my stage of play to defeat a participant like Djokovic on the Laver Cup.
“After fascinated by it, once I noticed what labored properly, the enhancements that I wanted nonetheless to attain, I managed to have structural confidence, concrete gadgets. And I attempted to proceed to work like this with a variety of conviction.
“It is true that we are able to do it on an excellent streak. There are nonetheless difficulties although. I managed to stroll the speak and to be sure that it turned actual, and this is the reason I managed to be assured.”
FAA-NTASTIC 👌@felixtennis is in every single place on the #RolexParisMasters! pic.twitter.com/8MRLiCReaV
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 4, 2022
After all, the very fact Auger-Aliassime is serving with authority is an enormous asset in his surge. Auger-Aliassime arrived in Paris with 818 aces on the season, second solely to John Isner (865) on the ATP Tour.
Former Paris doubles champion Auger-Aliassime is aiming to journey this profitable wave to his fourth straight title and maiden Masters championship in Paris.
“My confidence relies on concrete issues,” Auger-Aliassime mentioned. “To begin with, I have to have self-discipline and preparation in the best way I play. Every match I method it in the identical approach.
“There ought to be each confidence but additionally humility as a result of I’ll lose as properly. That enables me to be prepared for any type of situation, any type of match that may unroll. I’ll proceed with that very same set mindset.”
Picture credit score: Swiss Indoors Basel Fb