By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, October 29, 2022
Felix Auger-Aliassime slammed nine aces toppling world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 6-2 to roar into the Basel final with his 12th straight victory.
Photo credit: Swiss Indoors Basel Facebook
Put a lid over Felix Auger-Aliassime and he's second to none.
A streaking Auger-Aliassime slammed nine aces sweeping world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 6-2 to roar into his third straight final in Basel.
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Auger-Aliassime stretched his career-best winning streak to 12 matches in a near flawless 81-minute victory—his third win over Alcaraz in as many meetings. The explosive Canadian has won six of seven sets against the US Open champion.
“So far it has been very close to perfect”, said Auger-Aliassime of an impressive Basel run that has seen him dictate play against a variety of opponents. "I’ve been serving amazing, not getting broken once yet. There’s still one match to go, but it’s been a fantastic week, played some great tennis, and again today against the best player in the world.
"It’s an amazing win, so I’m really happy with my level and hopefully I can go all the way.”
Auger-Aliassime raised his 2022 record to 52-24, while Alcaraz, who carried a 7-1 semifinals record this season into today's match, drops to 55-12.
Last Sunday, the 22-year-old Canadian captured his second title in as many weeks—and his third of 2022—stopping Sebastian Korda 6-3, 6-4 in the Antwerp final.
Tomorrow, Auger-Aliassime will play for a fourth title of the season against Holger Rune in what could be an electric final.
Showing sensational net skills, the 19-year-old Rune repelled sixth-seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6(1), 7-6(6) fighting into his second straight final.
It Is Rune's ninth consecutive win. Rune, who defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in last Sunday's Stockholm Open final, is 13-1 since Sepember 27th.
Serving-and-volleying at times, Rune displayed exceptional athleticism winning 32 of 39 net points. Rune used the serve-and-volley to save break points.
Bautista Agut build a 6-2 lead in the second-set tiebreaker and was poised to force a decider only to see Rune fend off four straight set points. Rune angled off a high forehand volley for match point and closed when Bautista Agut's forehand went wide.
Commanding on serve, Auger-Aliassime won 27 of 33 first-serve points and denied the only break point he faced in the final game.
The top-seeded Alcaraz is a champion with wondrous variety and the guts to go for any shot in almost any circumstance. That unpredictability is unsettling.
Today, Auger-Aliassime reduced the standard dialogue that is a rally into a monologue with declarative drives set up by that damaging first serve.
Quick off the mark, Auger-Aliassime read the Alcaraz drop shot and often had assertive replies.
Alcaraz held at 15 to level after six games then Auger-Aliassime elevated to a level that stupefied the Spaniard. Auger-Aliassime surged through 12 of the final 13 points, including successive shutout games, to snatch a one-set lead.
The 19-year-old Alcaraz looked unsure of how to attack Auger-Aliassime.
The third seed was oppressive in a stirring second-set run that showed the authoritative, attacking tennis Auger-Aliassume can deliver at his best.
Auger-Aliassime backed up a love hold with a love break for a 2-1 lead. The Canadian held at 15 for 3-1 and never looked back improving to 6-7 vs. Top 10 opponents this season.