Google News Felix Auger-Aliassime reveals his mindset in fifth set versus Roberto Bautista Agut
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 2992
Rising Canadian tennis Felix Auger-Aliassime acknowledged that he "lives for these moments" after clinching a five-set win over 21st-ranked Roberto Bautista Agut at the US Open. Auger-Aliassime, who is enjoying a career-high ranking of No.
15 in the world, overcame former world No. 9 Bautista Agut 6-3 6-4 4-6 3-6 6-3 to reach the US Open round-of-16. After blowing a two-set lead, Auger-Aliassime tried to regroup and to play every point the best he could. "I live for these moments," Auger-Aliassime said, per the ATP website.
"I started off the best I could by winning the first two sets but then unfortunately from being a break up I didn't solidify and things got tricky. He grew more confident and I didn't serve so well, but the crowd helped me to dig deep.
"There were a lot of emotions but I tried to settle down and in the fifth set my mindset was to play every point the best I could and to stay focussed. It worked, so I will try to keep going this way."
Auger-Aliassime makes the US Open round-of-16 for the second time
Auger-Aliassime claimed the first break of the match in the fourth game, before serving out for the opener in the ninth game.
In the second set, Auger-Aliassime broke Bautista Agut in the ninth game and routinely served out for a two-set lead in the following game. After taking a two-set lead, Auger-Aliassime broke Bautista Agut in the third game of the third set to take a 2-1 lead.
However, Bautista Agut refused to quit as he responded with two breaks to overturn the deficit and force a fourth set. In the fourth set, Bautista Agut broke Auger-Aliassime in the eighth game and saved six break points in the following game to force a decider.
After losing two consecutive sets, Auger-Aliassime showed great mental strength as he broke Bautista Agut in the fourth game and held on to his serve the rest of the way to clinch the win. Auger-Aliassime now has a good chance to make the US Open quarterfinal as he plays next Frances Tiafoe.