Perfect 10: Felix Plays ‘Match Of His Life’, Cruises Into Basel QFs

Felix Auger-Aliassime has been in blistering form this month, but he hit new heights on Thursday at the Swiss Indoors Basel. Seeking his third ATP Tour title in as many weeks, the Canadian advanced to the quarter-finals with a stunning performance against Miomir Kecmanovic, wrapping up a 6-1, 6-0 victory in 49 minutes.

“It’s tough to play better than that, from my part,” Auger-Alassime said in his on-court interview. “For sure the best match I’ve played in my whole life — not my career, since I’m a little kid! It’s a nice feeling. It was a treat to play this level, to play this way in front of you,” he told the Swiss crowd.

In a flawless second set, he dropped just seven points and was a perfect 11-for-11 behind his first serve. Showcasing his athleticism and first-strike tennis, the third seed finished with 21 winners and 10 aces on the match.

Auger-Aliassime currently sits seventh in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin as he clings onto what is currently the final qualifying position. He is 315 points clear of Taylor Fritz in eighth place as he seeks his Nitto ATP Finals debut at age 22, but cannot add points this week unless he reaches the semi-finals or better.

Now on a 10-match winning streak that began with title runs in Florence and Antwerp, Auger-Aliassime became the third player to earn 50 wins this season (Tsitsipas 57, Alcaraz 54) with his latest victory. His 2022 record stands at 50-24 with three titles, the first ATP Tour trophies of his career.

The Canadian will next meet Alexander Bublik, a 6-3, 6-3 winner against Albert Ramos-Vinolas earlier on Thursday. Should he advance to the semis, he will face a Spaniard: either World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz or fifth seed Pablo Carreno Busta.