Canadian tennis player Félix Auger-Aliassime has qualified for the semifinals of the ABN AMRO tennis tournament in Rotterdam at the expense of Cameron Norrie. The number nine in the world struggled with the British number thirteen in the ATP ranking, but struck at the important moments: 7-5 7-6 (4). Andrei Roeblev also won his quarterfinals later in the evening, leaving the entire top three of the seeding list in the tournament.
The battle was evenly matched in the first set. Auger-Aliassime missed a break in Norrie’s first service game and then it wasn’t until the eighth game that the young Canadian, he’s only 21, got another break. This time he did take them and at 5-3 he was able to serve for the set. At that prospect, Auger-Aliassim seemed to freeze. He was 0-40 behind in no time and Norrie struck on the second break point. The Brit came back to 5-5, after which Aliassime kept his service game. In fact, the Canadian now seemed to have no more nerves, played some fantastic points and even took the set on his second break point.
The second set seemed to be a prey for Norrie after a quick break in the third game. However, the Brit was unable to hold on to the lead and Auger-Aliasime broke back in the eighth game. A number of exciting games followed, in which the level was high and the rallies often lasted a long time. In particular, the third-seeded Auger-Aliassime played erratically. He hit 13 aces, but also 4 double faults. He also made more unnecessary mistakes than his British opponent, but also put in many more winners. Auger-Aliassime missed two game points on Norrie’s service at 5-6, but in the tiebreak the Canadian dominated and the first game point was hit.
The Canadian will face second-seeded Russian Andrei Rublev in the semi-final. Roeblev settled in a rematch of last year’s final with Hungarian Márton Fucsovics: 6-4 6-3. Last year in the final, Rublev was also the strongest. Then it became 7-6 (4) 6-4 for the Russian.
The other semi-final will be between first-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas and surprisingly well-performing qualifier Jiri Lehecka. Both players won their quarterfinals today. The two semifinals will be played tomorrow.
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