September 1, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\nAfter enduring a series of major struggles, Auger-Aliassime has played some of his most dynamic Grand Slam tennis in years defeating a pair of heavy hitters. Auger-Aliassime toppled third-seeded former US Open finalist Alexander Zverev 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-4 in the third round on Louis Armstrong Stadium.<\/p>\n
Firing his forehand, which can sometimes fly on him, with conviction, Auger-Aliassime controlled much of today\u2019s match beating Rublev for just the second time\u2014and first time since the 2022 Rotterdam semifinals.<\/p>\n
The victory vaults Auger-Aliassime into the US Open quarterfinals against Alex de Minaur.<\/p>\n
Earlier, de Minaur mauled Swiss qualifier Leandro Riedi 6-3, 6-2, 6-1. De Minaur unleashed a six-game surge midway through the match ending the Cinderella run of the world No. 435.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the second consecutive US Open quarterfinal, and third overall, for the feisty Aussie.\u00a0<\/p>\n
World No. 27 Auger-Aliassime has won two of three meetings vs. de Minaur; this quarterfinal clash will be their first major meeting.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Felix is that type of player that everyone knows that his top level is incredibly high, and
when he\u2019s playing with confidence, he\u2019s very tough to beat,\u201d de Minaur said. \u201cThis week he\u2019s obviously playing some incredible tennis, and he\u2019s got a lot of weapons.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got a great serve. He\u2019s got a great forehand. He looks to dictate whenever he can. In that matchup for me it\u2019s all about trying to disrupt his rhythm, not give him the chance to bully me on the court. I do my best to counter and dictate whenever I can, and ultimately, I know what I\u2019m getting myself into.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got moments on the court where he\u2019s unbeatable, and then there\u2019s moments that he\u2019ll give you a couple of errors, right? For me it\u2019s about weathering the storm.\u201d<\/p>\n
Auger-Aliassime expects a storm of intensity from de Minaur when they meet next.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, his strengths were always his movement and a quality to keep the ball in play and to kind of like counter, you know, like let\u2019s say the speed that the other player will play at and, yeah, to just
defend,\u201d Auger-Aliassime said. \u201cBut what\u2019s been very interesting is that he\u2019s added also stepping into the court a lot more. I think that\u2019s why he\u2019s in the position he\u2019s in today.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe now has, like, very much the ability to step in as soon as you give him a chance, you know, and to come early in the court and to punish you. That\u2019s why his game is even more complete than how it was in the past.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former world No. 5 Rublev carried an imposing 7-1 lifetime record vs. Auger-Aliassime onto Arthur Ashe Stadium\u2014his best record against any former Top 10 opponent.<\/p>\n
Twenty-five years ago, Marat Safin stunned Pete Sampras to capture the 2000 US Open crown. A bearded Safin, who has joined Fernando Vicente as one of Rublev\u2019s coaches, often shouted encouragement and instruction to the Russian from the start today.<\/p>\n
Rublev drew first-break blood and backed up the break for a 3-1 lead.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thumping his forehand with more venom and control, Auger-Aliassime tore through 12 of 13 points breaking back to get back on serve.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 25th-seeded Canadian clipped the tape with an inside-out forehand, followed it forward and drew a netted pass to snatch the first set with his second break of serve.<\/p>\n
Overall, Auger-Aliassime served 64 percent and won 22 of 28 first-serve points in that opening set.<\/p>\n
Across the net, Rublev went from stressing to seething to straight up raging midway through the second set.<\/p>\n
Squandering a 40-0 lead with a couple of double faults, Rublev, who was repeatedly testing the Canadian\u2019s forehand return with the wide serve, was frozen by an Auger-Aliassime forehand return winner for break point.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beating himself up for that winner, Rublev rapped his Head racquet off his shoe in a painful display.<\/p>\n
Then came the big hurt: When a red-faced Rublev missed a backhand down the line to cede the break for 2-4 he wound up and splattered his racquet off the blue hard court.<\/p>\n
A dialed-in Auger-Aliassime won 12 of his last 14 service points in the second set, serving out a two-set lead at love.<\/p>\n
The deficit deepened as a disconsolate Rublev dropped serve to start the third set. Auger-Aliassime fended off a break point at 30-40, holding for a 3-1 third-set lead.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0Serving for quarterfinals, Auger-Aliassime was flawless. The Canadian cracked his 11th ace, fired an inside-out forehand and finished with a backhand bolt down the line.<\/p>\n
Auger-Aliassime has won 12 of the 13 sets he\u2019s played at this US Open.<\/p>\n
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