Auger-Aliassime feels capable of great things: "I can win".
Since Madrid, Félix Auger-Aliassime has been reborn. A finalist in Spain (beaten by Rublev in the final, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5), the current world No. 21 is back on track in Paris. After two solid opening rounds, he gave poor Ben Shelton a real tennis lesson (6-4, 6-2, 6-1).
Confident of his strengths, the Canadian, as powerful as ever from the baseline, will now take on one of the great favourites for the Parisian title: Carlos Alcaraz, the outgoing semi-finalist. Far from having any hang-ups, Auger-Aliassime will take to the court this Sunday (not before 2pm) to win.
When asked about the upcoming match, the former world No. 6 made no secret of the fact: "I beat him indoors. He beat me twice in Indian Wells. This is the first time since the US Open, when he was just 18, that we've played in a Grand Slam tournament. All these elements make it different, but it's obviously a big challenge. You're playing against one of the best players in the world. So it's always a special match against him, Novak or Jannik.
It's been a while since we've played each other, but these guys are always a great challenge. I'm feeling better and better. I seem to believe more and more in my game and in what I'm doing. So, yes, I think I have every reason to believe I can win, but obviously, we know the challenge. It's a tough challenge."