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“It Keeps Me Alive”: Felix Auger-Aliassime Still Optimistic to Qualify for Nitto ATP Finals
Felix Auger-Aliassime beat the Brit, Cameron Norrie, in a thrilling Round of 16 encounter at the Vienna Open. With the victory against the Indian Wells champ, Auger-Aliassime has kept his chances alive in the race to Nitto ATP Final.
Currently, Auger-Aliassime is in 12th position with 2420 points. Ahead of him are Jannik Sinner, Casper Ruud, Cameron Norrie, and Hubert Hurkacz. All four players are fighting hard for the 7th or 8th position. The first eight players from the ATP Race will qualify for the ATP Tour Finals in Turin, Italy.
Felix Auger-Aliassime saved three match points
Felix Auger-Aliassime in his match against Cameron Norrie at Vienna Open, emphatically saved three match points. Moreover, he then played aggressively and claimed the match. In the post-match interview, he said, “I just really had in my mind that I couldn’t go away easily. I wanted to push him to really beat me and deserve it in the second set. He did well.”
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – July 5, 2021 Canada’s Felix Auger Aliassime celebrates winning his fourth round match against Germany’s Alexander Zverev REUTERS/Toby Melville
Furthermore, he added, “I was down three match points. In a way, I was lucky. He was so close to winning, I just hit a crazy passing shot on match point to save it, so sometimes the margins are small. That was the case today, so I’ll take it.”
Auger-Aliassime is still in the race for Nitto ATP Finals
So far, six players have already secured their places in the ATP Finals happening next month in Turin, Italy. With Nadal having already withdrawn from the remainder of the season, there are now four players and two spots left.
Aug 19, 2021; Mason, OH, USA; Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) returns a shot against Matteo Berrettini (ITA) during the Western and Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Auger-Aliassime thrashed Norrie in the second round at Vienna Open. Moreover, Andy Murray also defeated Hurkacz in the opening round. With this, mathematically, Auger-Aliassime can still qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals but it’ll be really challenging.
When asked about his chances, the Canadian stated, “That was an important win to stay in the Race. I think if I lost that match, the odds would have been very tough for me to qualify. It keeps me alive in the Race, but the road is still very long.”
What do you think, will Auger-Aliassime qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals?
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