Felix's Key: Keep Rallies Short & Sweet
Keeping points short and sweet has made Felix Auger-Aliassime’s performance a treat at this US Open.
The Canadian star is into his first major semi-final at Flushing Meadows and the 21-year-old has made his impressive run in large part by dominating the short rallies in New York.
Auger-Aliassime has won 56 per cent (391/698) of rallies between zero and four shots thanks to his strong work with his first serve at the season’s final major. The eight-time ATP Tour finalist entered this event winning 76 per cent of his first-serve points this year, and has claimed 81 per cent of his first-serve points at the US Open.
Felix has delivered 85 aces compared to 30 double faults — hitting eight double faults in two different matches.
Felix’s Serving Stats – Pre-2021 US Open vs. US Open
| Stat | Pre-2021 US Open | US Open |
| 1st-Serve Pts Won | 76% | 81% |
| 2nd-Serve Pts Won | 52% | 52% |
| Service Games Won | 84% | 92% |
The 12th seed will have to continue playing his aggressive first-strike tennis against two-time major finalist and second seed Daniil Medvedev.
“I also need to step up and be confident in myself. I need to serve well. I need to play a great match, be solid from every aspect of my game,” Auger-Aliassime said. “At the same time I need to try to put pressure on him. But it’s going to be tough. I need to be ready for his best.”
What makes it tricky for Auger-Aliassime is that Medvedev has been even more dominant on the shortest points. The second seed has won nearly 63 per cent of rallies between zero and four shots and lost serve just five times in five matches.
The difference is that while Medvedev has also done well in longer rallies, Auger-Aliassime has not. The first-time major semi-finalist has won 50 per cent of points (151/300) between five and eight shots and just 46 per cent of rallies (61/143) of nine shots or more.
Felix & Daniil’s Rally Stats – 2021 US Open
| Rally Length | Felix Auger-Aliassime | Daniil Medvedev |
| 0-4 Shots | 56% (391/698) | 63% (304/486) |
| 5-8 Shots | 50% (151/300) | 56% (118/212) |
| 9+ Shots | 43% (61/143) | 53% (83/157) |
Medvedev, however, has been in the green in both categories. That will make it even more imperative for Auger-Aliassime to keep points short.
Medvedev spoke to the media before Auger-Aliassime and Alcaraz played their quarter-final and said that he believes they are similar players, and that it would be important to prevent them from playing their game.
“[You] should try to not give them all the time they want,” Medvedev said. “Otherwise, they are going to destroy you.”
The average rally length in Medvedev’s matches has been 5.3 strokes, while Auger-Aliassime’s has been 4.2. Will Felix continue firing early and often to control rallies with his serve and first-shot power, or will Daniil drag the Canadian deeper into rallies and drown him with his consistency?
Auger-Aliassime will hope that keeping it short and sweet will pay dividends once more and yield his first berth in a major final.