Felix Auger-Aliassime continues to shine on the ATP circuit, having recently reached the semifinals of the Open Occitanie tournament held in Montpellier, France. The Canadian star moved past Yunchaokete Bu with a decisive score of 6-3, 6-4 on Friday, showcasing his refined game and proving he is back on track after earlier struggles at the Australian Open.
The match unfolded over one hour and 23 minutes, with the world No. 23 exhibiting impressive form before the enthusiastic crowd. Auger-Aliassime registered 11 aces and secured 86 percent of his first serve points, breaking his opponent's serve twice during the encounter. His polished indoor game, combined with solid serving, allowed him to dominate the match.
Following his victory, Auger-Aliassime noted, “My game is more disciplined,” reflecting on his development since the previous season. He remarked on his tendency to hit brilliant shots interspersed with errors last year, adding, “But now, two straight-sets wins, [I am] more solid and I am happy with the progress.”
With this victory, Auger-Aliassime reaches the semifinals at Montpellier for the second time, continuing his upward trend after claiming his sixth ATP Tour title just weeks ago at the Adelaide International. This achievement also sees him joining notable players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz as one of the only players born after 2000 to reach 30 tour-level semifinals.
Looking forward, Felix will face either the fifth seed Tallon Griekspoor or Jesper de Jong for the chance to play for the title on Sunday. The competition remains fierce, but Auger-Aliassime’s recent performances signal he is ready to vie for yet another championship.
His pathway leading to the semifinals is indicative of his growing confidence and skill. His opening match saw him defeating Arthur Cazaux, highlighting his capability to handle pressure on indoor surfaces effectively. “I feel good right now,” he added when discussing his current form, showing no signs of backing down as he prepares for his next challenge.
Other matches still on the docket for Friday include top seed Andrey Rublev facing off against Nikoloz Basilashvili, and Alexander Bublik, the No. 4 seed, going against Aleksandar Kovacevic. With such prominent players also competing, the tournament promises high-stakes action as it nears the finals.
The Montpellier event, part of the ATP 250 series, serves as a platform for players to level up their performances on indoor hard courts, and Auger-Aliassime has taken full advantage of this opportunity. His record improving to 8-2 for the season, the Canadian is now showing signs of consistent, high-level play.
Understanding his level of play and mentality going forward, he acknowledges the incremental adjustments made to his game. His performance metrics support this, with recent tournaments illustrating the effectiveness of his serve and overall strategy. “Hopefully I go one more step and get to the finals on Sunday,” he concluded with optimism.
His determination to build on recent successes demonstrates not just ambition but also a resilience to recover from setbacks experienced earlier this month. Auger-Aliassime’s visibility on the court is growing, and with each match, he reinforces his standing as one of the sport's exciting talents.
Fans can look forward to his next match, as he aims to continue his quest for the title at the Open Occitanie. His capability for discipline and performance under pressure will undoubtedly be tested, but with the momentum he has garnered, many are buzzing about his potential to take home the trophy this weekend.