Canada’s Félix Auger-Aliassime emerged victorious in the end. The 25-year-old Canadian defeated China’s Zhang Zhizhen with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the first round of men’s singles at the Dubai Championships on Monday.
Auger-Aliassime had a challenging moment as he missed multiple match points during the second set, including two at 5-4 and three at 6-5. Despite facing setbacks, he managed to secure the win by winning two of the last three points in the tiebreaker after establishing a 5-3 lead.
Reflecting on the missed opportunities, Auger-Aliassime expressed his frustration, stating that having match points is a desirable position for a player but can also play tricks on the mind. Despite the pressure, he remained focused on the possibility of a third set.
As the top seed in the tournament, Auger-Aliassime showcased a strong performance, serving 11 aces with minimal errors and breaking his opponent twice out of 11 chances. He also excelled in first-serve points, winning 78% of them.
In comparison, Zhang delivered a commendable performance with 10 aces and a high percentage of first-serve points won but struggled to convert his break-point opportunities, missing all four chances.
Next, Auger-Aliassime is set to face French qualifier Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the upcoming match.