Felix Auger-Aliassime found his inner zen to overcome a difficult challenge from Maxime Cressy, with the fourth seed earning a debut win on Tuesday at the ATP Dubai event.
Canada’s FAA said staying calm against the erratic serve-and-volley attack of Cressy was his secret sauce to get through 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-3 at the Aviation Club.
FAA advanced with just under half of the 27 aces laid down by his opponent, though the erratic Cressy also threw in 25 double faults.
Victory took a laborious three hours and puts the 22-year-old into a test against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.
“He does not have the most common game,” the winner said of the French-born American. “He’s difficult to play.”
The win earned revenge for a loss the Canadian took to Cressy in last summer’s Wimbledon first round.
“He got me last time, I was unprepared,” the winner said. “I was not able to stay composed like I did today.
“In the first set I was sharp when I needed to be, it’s unfortunate the match went to three sets.
“But you need to accept the difficulty, the mental game is so important.”
Auger-Alaissime, a Doha semi-finalist last week, improved to 8-4 this season.
Main photo:- Felix Auger Aliassime making a winning start in Dubai by ATPTour.com
Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…
Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…
Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…
Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…
Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…
Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…