Felix Auger-Aliassime carried his strong 2025 form into the new season with a commanding tie-clinching victory for Canada against China on Sunday at the United Cup in Sydney.<\/p>\n
The 25-year-old, at a career-high No. 5 in the PIF ATP Rankings, overpowered Zhang Zhizhen 6-4, 6-4 with an authoritative, big-hitting performance. The win \u2014 his first opening victory of a season since 2021 \u2014 followed an impressive comeback earlier from 19-year-old Victoria Mboko, sealing an unassailable 2-0 lead for Canada.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can be very pleased with this first match of the year,\u201d said Auger-Aliassime. \u201cTennis is about rhythm, playing important points under pressure, so you never know what to expect. I woke up this morning hoping for the best, and then I played some of my best tennis.\u201d<\/p>\n
Auger-Aliassime and Mboko then ensured a 3-0 sweep by teaming to defeat Xiaodi You and Rigele Te 6-1, 6-3 in the mixed doubles rubber.<\/p>\n
Auger-Aliassime ended the 2025 season in fine form, highlighted by a semi-final run at the US Open, a title at the ATP 250 in Brussels and a last-four finish at the prestigious Nitto ATP Finals. He showed no signs of slowing down as he launched his 2026 campaign.<\/p>\n
His serve proved especially decisive against Zhang, as he won 87 per cent (33\/38) points behind his first delivery and saved the only break point he faced to level their Lexus ATP Head2Head series at 1-1.<\/p>\n
Moooood in Sydney \ud83d\ude0d#UnitedCup<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/xVYwuzsWvC<\/a><\/p>\n