Felix Auger-Aliassime, recovering from a back injury that sidelined him from the National Bank Open in Montreal, showcased a strong comeback at the Cincinnati Open. The 26-year-old Canadian tennis prodigy cruised into the Round of 16 by defeating Juan Manuel Cerundolo from Argentina with a score of 7-5, 6-1 in a swift one hour and 27 minutes match.
Auger-Aliassime’s next challenge will be facing Frances Tiafoe, who emerged victorious against Learner Tien in a tough all-American battle lasting two hours and 10 minutes. In his initial match at the tournament, Auger-Aliassime outplayed Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece with a solid 6-3, 7-5 victory.
During his match against Cerundolo, Auger-Aliassime demonstrated his prowess with six aces, five double faults, 22 unforced errors, and 19 winners. He managed to secure three out of nine return games and maintained a flawless record in his service games.
Earlier in the month, Auger-Aliassime had to withdraw from the NBO in Montreal due to a back injury sustained during his pre-event training. Despite being the second seed in the Canadian tournament, he prioritized his recovery for future competitions.
Other notable absentees from the NBO included World No. 1 and Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner, who opted out to focus on his well-being. Additionally, World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz and Grand Slam record holder Novak Djokovic also missed the event due to health concerns and prior injuries.