In a breathtaking display of resilience and raw power, Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime pulled off a miraculous escape at the US Open, clawing his way back from the brink of defeat to overcome Australia's Alex de Minaur in a five-set epic.
The match, which stretched into the early hours of Tuesday morning in New York, saw Auger-Aliassime staring into the abyss after dropping the first two sets. However, the 22-year-old mounted a ferocious fightback, ultimately prevailing 2-6, 6-7(7), 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 in a contest lasting four hours and 39 minutes.
A Tale of Two Halves
De Minaur, known for his blistering speed and relentless retrieving, was in sublime form initially. He dictated play with precision and aggression, capitalising on a sluggish start from the Canadian to secure a commanding two-set lead. The Australian's victory seemed a mere formality.
Yet, the momentum shifted seismically in the third set. Auger-Aliassime, finding a devastating rhythm on his thunderous first serve and unleashing his powerful groundstrokes, began to overwhelm the 13th seed. He raced through the next two sets, breaking De Minaur's serve with newfound authority to force a decider.
The Decisive Fifth Set
With the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd electrified, the final set became a brutal war of attrition. The critical moment arrived at 3-2, when Auger-Aliassime engineered a crucial break of serve. From there, he held his nerve, closing out the monumental victory with a colossal forehand winner on his first match point.
The statistics underscored the sheer intensity of the battle, with Auger-Aliassime firing a staggering 79 winners past his opponent.
Alcaraz Awaits in Quarter-Final Showdown
This hard-fought triumph books Auger-Aliassime a coveted spot in the quarter-finals where a titanic challenge awaits: a showdown with the reigning champion and world number one, Carlos Alcaraz. The young Spaniard has been in imperious form, making their upcoming clash one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament.
Reflecting on his heroic win, Auger-Aliassime credited his self-belief. "It's one of my best comebacks for sure," he stated. "Two sets down, I had to dig incredibly deep. I started playing more aggressively, going for my shots, and thankfully it worked out. I'm thrilled to still be alive in this tournament."
