Felix Auger-Aliassime of Montreal, Quebec is in the round of 16 at the 2023 Australian Open in Melbourne. On Thursday evening in North America and Friday in Australia, Auger-Aliassime defeated Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Auger-Aliassime won 85% of his first serve points, and broke Cerundolo six times. For the first time in the 2023 Australian Open, Auger-Aliassime won the first set. In the first round, he was beaten by fellow Canadian Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, British Columbia 6-1. In the second round, he was beaten by Alex Molcan of Slovakia 6-3. Auger-Aliassime in fact lost the first two sets to Molcan before winning the match in five sets.
We have yet to see a complete performance by Auger-Aliassime at the 2023 Australian Open. He had a mental lapse in the second set against Cerundolo, but was able to bounce back and win set three and four.
Next up in the round of 16 over the weekend, Auger-Aliassime will face Jiri Lehecka of Czechia, the 71st ranked player in the world. Lehecka has had two impressive wins at the 2023 Australian Open to date. In the first round, he beat the 21st seed and Cincinnati Masters champion Borna Coric of Croatia 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. In the third round, Ledecka knocked out former Indian Wells champion, 2022 Wimbledon semifinalist and 11th seed, Cameron Norrie of Great Britain, 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
