By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday September 16, 2022
Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime spoiled Carlos Alcaraz's first match as reigning World No.1 in Valencia.
Photo Source: Getty
Felix Auger-Aliassime spoiled Carlos Alcaraz’s first match as reigning World No.1 on Friday in Valencia, Spain, defeating the 19-year-old in Davis Cup World Group Play, 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and 50 minutes.
"He is the world No. 1 and big credit to him for that, but today I think I was a little bit better in the third set," the 13th-ranked Auger-Aliassime said, according to the AP. "I wasn't going to let my team down with my fighting spirit."
Auger-Aliassime hit 16 aces and broke Alcaraz late in the second and twice in the third to improve to 2-0 lifetime against the top-ranked teenager.
"Felix is a beast. Physically and mentally, Felix is one of the best in the world,” the US Open champion said. "I didn't come in very good physical condition. It was a very tough day, but I have to say congratulations to him because he played an unbelievable game.''
Roberto Bautista Agut put Spain in the early lead with a three-set win over Vasek Pospisil, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.
After Auger-Aliassime’s upset of Alcaraz, the Canadian teamed with Pospisil to defeat Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martinez, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Canada moves to the top of Group B at 2-0. Spain and Serbia are 2-1 and South Korea is 0-2.
The top two teams in the group will qualify for the knockout stage in Malaga, Spain on 22-27 November.