Felix Makes Winning Debut In Los Cabos

Felix Auger-Aliassime used a quick start and a finishing flurry to open his account with a win at the Abierto de Tenis Mifel in Los Cabos. Playing against home favourite Alex Hernandez on Wednesday, the second seed denied the Mexican wild card a famous victory by taking a 6-3, 7-5 decision.

The Canadian won the first three games of the match but twice found himself down a break in the second set as Hernandez gave the Stadium CSC crowd plenty to cheer about. The World No. 521 was aided by his opponent’s 58 per cent first-serve percentage, though Auger-Aliassime dominated when he did connect on his first delivery, winning those points at an 83 per cent clip (35/42).

From 2-5 down in the second set, Auger-Aliassime won the last five games of the match — but not before a nervy final game in which he saved two break points after leading 30/0.

The victory sees the Canadian advance to his 10th tour-level quarter-final of 2022, equalling his personal best for a single season (2021). He will next face seventh seed Thanasi Kokkinakis or Steve Johnson.

More to follow…