Alex de Minaur's magnificent US Open campaign came to a crushing halt in the quarter-finals, as the Australian star was outplayed by a resurgent Felix Auger-Aliassime on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Canadian sensation produced a masterclass performance, securing a decisive 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 victory in just two hours and 22 minutes, ending de Minaur's dream of reaching his first Grand Slam semi-final.
Dominant Display from Auger-Aliassime
From the opening serve, Auger-Aliassime demonstrated why he's considered one of the most dangerous players on tour when in form. The 23-year-old unleashed a relentless assault of powerful groundstrokes and precise serving that left de Minaur scrambling throughout the contest.
Key statistics told the story of the match:
- Auger-Aliassime fired 16 aces compared to de Minaur's 3
- The Canadian won an impressive 89% of points behind his first serve
- He converted 5 of 11 break point opportunities
- Auger-Aliassime hit 41 winners to de Minaur's 17
De Minaur's Valiant Effort Falls Short
Despite fighting characteristically hard until the final point, de Minaur struggled to find answers to his opponent's aggressive game plan. The Australian's renowned defensive skills were constantly tested by Auger-Aliassime's powerful baseline game and strategic net approaches.
"It's disappointing to end like this," de Minaur reflected after the match. "Felix played exceptional tennis today and was too good. I'll learn from this and come back stronger."
Road to the Semi-Finals
Auger-Aliassime's victory sets up an intriguing semi-final clash against either Carlos Alcaraz or Alexander Zverev. The Canadian's performance signals a remarkable return to form after struggling with injuries earlier in the season.
For de Minaur, the quarter-final appearance represents his best result at Flushing Meadows and confirms his status as a genuine threat at major tournaments. The 24-year-old will now turn his attention to the remainder of the ATP season, taking confidence from his deep run in New York.
