Photo by Peter Staples/ATP Tour
On Sunday, Félix Auger-Aliassime ran into Carlos Alcaraz in the third round of the prestigious BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. In (really) great form, the World No.2 took control of the match and sealed the deal 6-2, 6-3.
It was an opportunity for the players to find their bearings in what’s proven to be a challenging season for both. Prior to today, Félix was 6-6 in 2024 and 3-1 versus Alcaraz, who was 6-3 since January.
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Auger-Aliassime came out of the gate strong with a hold in the first game. Things were tight until the fifth game, when Alcaraz got up a break 3-2 and never looked back. The Canadian was discomfited as Alcaraz dominated on serve and return (77% first serves in play, 50% points won on return and 100% games won on serve) and voided a break point to win the last four games.
On serve to start off the second set, Félix quickly gave away two break points yet still managed to hang on and secure the next service points. But on serve at 5-3, he handed Alcaraz two match points. The defending champion, who’s currently on the hunt for his first title since Wimbledon, racked up winners and shots on the paint to wrap things up at 6-3 in a near-perfect outing.
Though he struggled to counter Alcaraz’s attacks, Félix Auger-Aliassime played some solid tennis that he and his team can build on as they look ahead to the rest of the season.
Félix was the last Canadian standing in the singles draws, so all eyes are now on Gabriela Dabrowski,
In the day’s other matches, Stefanos Tsitsipas overpowered Frances Tiafoe (6-3, 6-3), and top seed Iga Swiatek dismantled Linda Noskova in just 72 minutes (6-4, 6-0).
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