ATP Tour

Auger-Aliassime upsets Zverev to reach US Open R4: 'Job's not done'

Before the US Open, it had been a difficult season for Felix Auger-Aliassime at the majors. The Canadian had lost in the second round or earlier at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

But the 25th seed showed he is alive and well at Flushing Meadows Saturday evening when he upset third seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-4 for a place in the fourth round. It is his first time into the second week at the season’s final Slam since he reached the semi-finals in 2021.

“This feels good. This feels good,” Auger-Aliassime said. “I’ve been coming here since 2018. I’m still young, but it’s been a few years and I’m working my way. Some of you it might be the first time you’re watching me tonight. But this feels really good.

“Obviously job’s not done. The tournament’s still going, but this means a lot to me. A lot of hard work, many years.”

Auger-Aliassime attacked at will inside Louis Armstrong Stadium, winning 24 of his 27 net points to eliminate the German in three hours and 48 minutes. Zverev walked on court with a 6-2 lead in their Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry and held set point at 6/5 in the second-set tie-break for a two-sets-to-none advantage, but was unable to convert.

“It was a nervous start the first few games and after it was pretty crazy, pretty flawless. But still Sascha was serving unbelievable, so it was tough to get a break,” Auger-Aliassime said. “I got a bit lucky in the tie-break that it went my way, but with the way I played in the third and fourth, I still think whatever happened in the second, I would give myself a chance. I was seeing it big today and it’s good when you feel like that on the court, for sure.”

Auger-Aliassime won the pair’s only previous clash at a major at Wimbledon 2021 and by defeating Zverev in New York earned his first victory at the level against a Top-5 opponent (previously 0-6.)

The 25-year-old will next take on 15th seed Andrey Rublev, who survived a difficult five-setter against Coleman Wong 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Rublev will take a 7-1 Lexus ATP Head2Head lead into his showdown with Auger-Aliassime for a place in the quarter-finals.

"I think I would be a fool not to [use his win for confidence," Auger-Aliassime said. "Of course this feels good. I'm going to try to recover as best as I can. Even though I looked not tired, it was tough on the legs, a lot of sprints, a lot of forehands. I'll try to recover my best. But these guys — Sascha, Andrey — these are all top players and they've been at the top of the game for many years, but I'm trying to be battling with them in those matches for sure."

In other action, Alex de Minaur advanced to the fourth round in New York for the fifth time after Daniel Altmaier was forced to retire. De Minaur led the German 6-7(7), 6-3, 6-4, 2-0 when play was stopped. The Australian will next play Swiss qualifier Leandro Riedi, who also advanced via retirement. The 23-year-old led Kamil Majchrzak 5-3 when the Pole could not continue. Riedi is up 271 spots to No. 164 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.