Auger-Aliassime through to singles semi; falls in doubles alongside Dabrowski

PARIS — Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime will compete for two medals at the Paris Olympics, but hasn’t yet guaranteed that he’ll bring one home.

On a busy Thursday, the 13th-seeded Auger-Aliassime defeated No. 6 Casper Ruud of Norway 6-4, 6-7 (8), 6-3 in the quarterfinals of the men's singles tennis tournament.

The 23-year-old from Montreal earned his second consecutive victory over a top-10 player after upsetting world No. 5 Daniil Medvedev, a Russian national competing as a neutral athlete, on Wednesday.

“These are beautiful emotions. It’s incredible to experience a moment like this, but I’ve worked hard to get here,” Auger-Aliassime said.

“We experience ups and downs throughout the year. I’ve had them in my career. Sometimes, I’m criticized. I also criticize myself, but I never stop working or persevering and it’s a pleasure for me and the whole team when it pays off like this.”

Thursday was indeed a day of highs and lows.

Just over an hour after his victory, Auger-Aliassime and partner Gabriela Dabrowski of Ottawa lost 6-3, 6-3 to Czechia’s Katerina Siniakova and Tomas Machac in the mixed doubles semifinals, falling short of assuring themselves a spot on the podium.

They play the Dutch duo of Demi Schuurs and Wesley Koolhof for a bronze medal on Friday.

Canada has won only one tennis medal at the Olympics, when Sébastien Lareau and Daniel Nestor triumphed in men's doubles at the Sydney Games in 2000.

Auger-Aliassime has now played eight matches in five days since the start of the Olympic tournament, including two per day on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

“There’s always uncertainty about how you’ll feel after a day like yesterday (Wednesday). This morning, I felt ready. I gave everything I could in singles,” he said. “After that, I reached my limit tonight.”

He’s set to face No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, who defeated Tommy Paul of the U.S. in their quarterfinal 6-3, 7-6 (7), in Friday's singles semifinal.

Alcaraz has won this year’s French Open and Wimbledon — the last two Grand Slams — and defeated Auger-Aliassime in straight sets during the round of 16 at Roland Garros this spring.

“I hope to be in shape and recover well tonight,” Auger-Aliassime said. “I need to put everything in place to win. I need to play an almost perfect match.”

Ruud, a two-time French Open finalist, had won three of his five previous matches against Auger-Aliassime but dropped their most recent encounter on clay at the Barcelona Open.

Auger-Aliassime showed more consistency during the match on Thursday. Ruud often opened the door for his opponent by being erratic with his serve. The match ended in two hours 47 minutes.

“Obviously the serve is a big key, I’ve been serving great, but as I’ve shown it’s not everything in my game right now,” Auger-Aliassime said. “I’m moving well, I’m able to make a lot of returns.

“Physically, everything is clicking. I’m able to keep the pressure on my opponent for a match of three hours like this, so that’s really great.”

Alongside Dabrowski, Auger-Aliassime was less effective in the mixed doubles match that lasted one hour 20 minutes.

In addition to lacking a bit of energy, Auger-Aliassime said Dabrowski had not been feeling well during the day.

He hopes to make up for it with the doubles specialist on Friday.

“She’s had an amazing career in doubles, she’s won Grand Slams,” he said. “I need to recover now and see how I can push one more time tomorrow to try and get that bronze medal. I think it would be amazing for me, but I want to do it for her. She deserves it.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2024.