MELBOURNE, Australia | Since the start of the Australian fortnight, Félix Auger-Aliassime has tried to hang on as best he might, despite a level of play below that which the Quebecer had presented in the last weeks of 2022.
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It worked for three rounds. The fourth was finally too much. “FAA” was shown the way out by Czech Jiri Lehecka, 71e world championship, by the mark of 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (2) and 7-6 (3), Sunday, at the Australian Open.
“It was a complicated week. I remain a little on my hunger, lamented the sixth favorite, who had reached the quarters last year in Australia. I didn’t feel like I expressed my game the best I might and I just have to accept that.”
The Giant Slayer
While Félix struggled to find his touch in Melbourne’s biggest stadiums, Lehecka has taken on the appearance of a giant killer in the last week.
At just 21, the Czech beat Croatian Borna Coric, 21e favorite in the first round. He then knocked down Britain’s Cameron Norrie, 11ein the third round, before pinning Félix to his hunting board.
However, the meeting had started badly for Lehecka. Auger-Aliassime seemed to have regained his touch. The Quebecer’s level of play had improved a bit from game to game: this start to the game suggested that he had finally taken his way.
Félix quickly took control of the first set, breaking Lehecka at 1-1, on an unforced error from the Czech. On the field of a Margaret Court stadium where several Canadian flags were waving, the two players then kept their service throughout.
But the damage was done for Lehecka, who desperately tried to aim for the lines, without much success.
Two bad tiebreakers
Much like it was the case in the previous round once morest the Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo, “FAA” however lost its luster in the next set. Mined by unprovoked errors (45 in total during the match) and even seven double faults, Auger-Aliassime conceded his first break of the game at the end of the set.
The next two were tighter, punctuated by some good exchanges, but also, by the power of Félix in the service, especially in the most critical moments. The catch is that the 22-year-old never found the key in return.
And that he has, by his own admission, played two bad tiebreakers. “I had trouble winning points on his serve, so I had less confidence in the break,” conceded Auger-Aliassime.
Not at its best
After some 3h 10min of play, as the lights came on at Magaret Court announcing the imminent start of the evening session, the curtain fell on Félix’s course in Melbourne.
The seventh in the world did well to collect at 4-3 in the tiebreaker of the fourth set. But he then conceded three match points to his rival, who materialized the first.
“He played better than me overall, pointed out the Quebecer. I am proud of my effort, but my level is not where I would like it to be.
“I’ve had some good times here and there in the tournament, except I haven’t been as consistent as when I’ve been playing well lately. I will try to see what happened, but there is nothing more I can do for the moment, ”he regretted.
