Felix Auger-Aliassime is in the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time. Over the last two days, the world number seven has beaten two formidable opponents to reach the final eight.
On Wednesday in the second round, Auger-Aluassime defeated Marin Cilic of Croatia, the 2014 United States Open champion, 7-6, 6-3. Then in the third round on Thursday, Auger-Aliassime defeated three-time grand slam finalist Casper Ruud of Norway, 7-5, 2-2. Ruud withdrew from the match in the second set with a leg injury.
Auger-Aliassime is a two-time grand slam semifinalist. He made the final four of the United States Open in 2021 and 2025. Ruud is a three-time grand slam finalist. He made the final two of the 2022 and 2023 French Open, and the 2022 United States Open.
In Auger-Aliassime’s second round win over Cilic, a key statistic was first serve percentage. Auger-Aliassime was at 71%, while Cilic was at 51%.
Next up for Auger-Aliassime in the quarterfinals on Friday is world number two Jannik Sinner of Italy. Auger-Aliassime has beaten Sinner twice in six meetings in the past. His first win came in the third round of Madrid in 2022 by a score of 6-1, 6-2, and the second win came in the third round of Cincinnati in 2022 by a score of 2-6, 7-6, 6-1.
