Felix Dodges Seppi Challenge In Washington
Second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime held his ground against a stern opening test on Tuesday against Andeas Seppi, rallying from a set down to start his Citi Open campaign with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory.
The 19-year-old Canadian was tested across nearly two hours by Seppi, the player who stunned him in the opening round at Roland Garros earlier in the season. Auger-Aliassime earned his revenge with 25 winners, including nine aces, and five service breaks from 12 opportunities.
Auger-Aliassime, who arrived in Washington, D.C. at a new career-high World No. 15 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, improved to 24-15 on the season with the victory. Coached by Frederic Fontang and Toni Nadal, Auger-Aliassime will be looking for his third tour-level final of the season after reaching the championship match in Stuttgart and Melbourne.
He needed a couple of games to gain his footing in Washington, D.C. against Seppi. By the time the 19-year-old found his best tennis, Auger-Aliassime was already down a double break and 5-1 in the opening set against the Italian veteran. Auger-Aliassime raised his level after saving two set points in the opening set, starting the second with a 3-0 lead.
[WATCH LIVE 1]The Canadian improved his first-serve points won from 65 per cent (11/17) in the first set to 85 per cent in the second set and 89 per cent in the third set. That kept the Italian on the back foot, and Auger-Aliassime earned unforced errors regularly as he continued to apply the pressure in the later stages of the match.
He awaits an American in the third round, with 16th seed Frances Tiafoe and #NextGenATP Jenson Brooksby set to hit the court later tonight.