Felix Auger-Aliassime stormed into the last 16 of the US Open on Saturday night with a rousing comeback win over world No 3 Alexander Zverev, knocking out one of the title favourites 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4, 6-4 on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
The Canadian 25th seed had not reached the second week in New York since his semi-final run in 2021 but summoned some of the best tennis of his career to secure a first grand slam victory over a top-five opponent. The match stretched to three hours and 48 minutes and finished shortly before midnight, delaying the night session that followed.
“It feels really good,” said Auger-Aliassime. “I’m still young, but I’ve been working at this for years. Some people may have been watching me for the first time tonight, and to show that kind of tennis on this stage means a lot. The tournament isn’t over, the job’s not done, but nights like these keep me going.”
Zverev, the 2020 runner-up in New York and a semi-finalist at the Australian Open earlier this year, had looked in full control after breaking in the opening game and sealing the first set with ease. But once Auger-Aliassime edged a gruelling second-set tiebreak, saved from the brink by bold shotmaking and helped over the line by a net cord, momentum shifted decisively.
The German grew increasingly agitated as his groundstrokes misfired, slamming his racket after conceding an early break in the third set. Auger-Aliassime consolidated with clutch serving and forehand winners, keeping Zverev under pressure in extended rallies. When the Canadian broke to love midway through the fourth set, Armstrong’s packed crowd sensed the upset. He closed it out on serve, pumping his fist as Zverev trudged off to his earliest US Open exit since 2018.
Auger-Aliassime advances to a fourth-round meeting with Russia’s Andrey Rublev, the 15th seed, who earlier beat Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong in five sets.
