Shortly after winning his third title of the season in Brussels on Sunday, Felix Auger-Aliassime said he was not too keen on the idea of facing his good friend Gabriel Diallo in the first round in Basel for the first time in his career.
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Felix seemed more nervous than he wanted to show before this first 100% duel in Quebec. In fact, Felix has probably “never been more nervous in a match,” he said on court Tuesday after beating Diallo 6-2, 7-5.
“It was strange, it was difficult to play against such a good friend,” Auger-Aliassime said. I tried to get rid of my nerves, but… […] There is nothing good in a match like this.”
These omnipresent nerves, we felt them at the beginning of the meeting. Things have been going well for FAA lately, but in the first six points against Diallo, 41, things didn't work out for him.e in the world.
Auger-Aliassime, the fifth seed in Switzerland and 12e The world, however, quickly pulled itself together against this one-day opponent it knows so well. On the next play he broke through for a 3–1 lead.
War of nerves
Both players know each other like the back of their hand. As a teenager, Diallo, a year younger than Auger-Aliassime, went to live in Quebec. He trained with Sam Aliassime, Felix's father. He also lived in his own house.
Thus, the 25-year-old “FAA” knew what his opponent's strengths were, but also his weaknesses. Diallo's second ball hasn't been optimal lately, and his shots on goal have been inconsistent at times.
Auger-Aliassime took advantage of these two aspects of the game and scored the first easy round.
But if Felix said he was very nervous at the thought of meeting Gabriel, we can believe the opposite is true.
As much as Diallo wanted to win, you can imagine he didn't want to be the one to hurt FAA in its quest for a second Masters appearance at the end of the season…
And already from the start of the second round, the Montrealer, champion of this ATP 500 tournament in 2022 and 2023, was stuck.
He made two double faults and two unforced errors to give the recent US Open semi-finalist some breathing room early on.
But what seemed like an easy victory for Felix for several games turned into what this match really was: a war of nerves.
Compliments and regrets
Auger-Aliassime also served in the next game, failing to beat Diallo 2-2 despite facing four break points.
Ultimately, it was the 6ft 8in giant who had the first opportunity to steal the set when he earned two set points at 5-4.
“What’s surprising about his size is that he moves well,” Auger-Aliassime analyzed. He has very good shots at the back of the field. I thought I would come back well… We used to train together, but in a real match it’s different.”
“He's a real player!”
Felix, however, stood his ground. He beat Gabriel to take a 6-5 lead and then punched his ticket into the second round, where he will face 89-year-old Croatian veteran Marin Cilic.e in the world, environment.
Auger-Aliassime and Diallo hugged and smiled at the net before whispering a few words in each other's ears.
The loser patted the winner on the thigh, who sat in a chair awaiting a post-match interview as he left the court.
“We spend the year sending each other messages, encouraging each other through good times and difficult times,” Felix said. I was so happy when he won his first title [à Bois-le-Duc, en juin].”
“It’s great to meet him at the ATP, but now he’s lost,” the Quebecer regretted.
