Felix Auger-Aliassime won his first match since August as the Canadian managed a welcome defeat of Australian Aleksandar Vukic 7-6 (3), 6-7 (2), 6-2 on Monday in Tokyo.
A year ago, FAA was on a roll, lifting October ATP titles in Florence, Antwerp and the 500 series in Basel, stronghold of Roger Federer.
But 2023 has not been kind to the current No. 17, with the Canadian standing less than 50 percent; he ended a four-match loss streak with the Tokyo triumph after last completing a victory in the Cincinnati first round over Matteo Berrettini.
He came to the court with wins in two of his last 11 matches.
“It’s a big relief,” the winner said. “There have been tough times lately where I was wondering what to do.
“I have to keep on training and believing and hope my level will come back. I am happy to get the victory today. It’s a positive.”
FAA broke his Aussie opponent three times in a battle lasting for nearly three hours to earn a match against Austrian Sebastian Ofner in the second round at the Ariake Colosseum Olympic venue.
Ofner booked his spot over Australian Christopher O’Connell 6-7 (2), 7-6 (5), 7-5.
An Aussie tasted success on the day as Jordan Thompson accounted for German third seed Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4 on the hardcourt.
Zverev has now dropped three straight matches in Asia and goes
into the danger zone in the qualification race for next month’s eight-man ATP Finals in Turin.
Zverev is clinging to the provisional seventh spot in the race to the season-ender with Holger Rune, Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud and weekend Shanghai Masters winner Hubert Hurkacz all chasing.
“He’s a quality player,” Thompson said of Zverev. “You can see what he has done in his career.
“I’ve not done nearly as much as him. But when I get on a court with those guys I believe I can win.
“If you don’t believe you can win you may as well not be there. I enjoyed the challenge.”
