Félix Auger-Aliassime Believes in the Upset: "Sinner? Very Strong, But Not Unplayable"
On his way to his second Masters 1000 final, Félix Auger-Aliassime is displaying a conquering mindset. The Canadian, who narrowly lost in New York, wants to shake the Italian: "He has improved, but I know I can beat him."
After a solid week at the Rolex Paris Masters, Félix Auger-Aliassime will play his second Masters 1000 final tomorrow. It will be against Jannik Sinner, the winner of his last 25 matches played in indoor conditions.
A major challenge that Auger-Aliassime says he is ready to take on, especially after having made the Italian doubt himself in the US Open semifinal almost two months ago:
"We are 2-2 in our head-to-head, but I still think he is the favorite. We played a good match in New York, it was good tennis. But he still had the final say. Of course, the times I beat Jannik, it was, you know, a younger Jannik (smile). He has improved a lot since then.
But it was always good to play him. He pushes his opponents to be tactically disciplined and to execute their game perfectly if they want to have a chance to win. You have to be ready to play your best tennis, not to make easy mistakes. I will try to do that tomorrow and win."
The world number 9, who is getting closer to qualifying for the ATP Finals, then discussed his two losses to Sinner this year:
"In Cincinnati (beaten 6-0, 6-2 in the quarterfinals), it was a very difficult defeat to take. I was very far from being able to beat him. In New York, it was much better. I saw him doubting. I was close to turning the match in my favor.
It was very encouraging to see that. These players (Sinner, but also Alcaraz) are not unplayable. They are very strong, yes. Sometimes, they become unplayable. But there is always a possibility to trouble them."
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You can't approach the doper by just saying, oh, pity me, I'm going to lose so badly cause he's so good!
You have to have the attitude of BUT, like you did. I'm better than him, BUT he was able to close out the match. I'm better than him, BUT he improved.
Hope you have it in you to beat him despite him taking steroids.