NEW YORK — In a stunning display of power and precision, Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime delivered a masterclass performance to dismantle third seed Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 in the third round of the US Open. The emphatic victory, achieved in just over two hours on Arthur Ashe Stadium, abruptly ended the German's latest quest for an elusive first major title and signaled a thunderous return to form for the 24-year-old Canadian.
Auger-Aliassime, who has struggled with injuries and form over the past 18 months, played what he described as a "complete match" from start to finish. He fired 16 aces, saved all five break points he faced, and ruthlessly converted five of the eight break opportunities he created against one of the tour's premier servers. The victory marks his first over a top-5 opponent at a Grand Slam since the 2022 Australian Open.
In his post-match press conference, Auger-Aliassime was quick to contextualize the performance, noting it was the product of persistent hard work, not a sudden fluke. "It didn't just fall out of the sky today," he stated. "I've been putting in the work, trying to find this level. To do it here, on this court, against a player of Sascha's caliber, it's extremely satisfying. It shows that the process is working."
A Tactical Masterpiece Unfolds
From the opening games, it was clear Auger-Aliassime had a clear and effective game plan. He targeted Zverev's vulnerable second serve with aggressive returns, often stepping far inside the baseline to take time away from the Olympic gold medalist. His own serve was a weapon of mass destruction, consistently landing in the corners and opening up the court for short, punishing forehands.
The key to his dominance, however, was his ability to neutralize Zverev's biggest strength: his powerful backhand. Auger-Aliassime repeatedly pinned Zverev in his forehand corner with heavy, deep shots, before unleashing a winner into the open space on the opposite side. This strategy left Zverev looking flat-footed and increasingly frustrated as the match progressed.
The statistics painted a picture of one-way traffic:
- Auger-Aliassime won 93% of points behind his first serve.
- He hit 36 winners to just 19 unforced errors.
- He dominated the short rallies (0-4 shots), winning 55 points to Zverev's 35.
Zverev's Grand Slam Woes Continue
For Alexander Zverev, the loss is another brutal disappointment in his pursuit of a maiden Grand Slam title. Arriving in New York on the back of a title-winning run in Cincinnati, where he defeated World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, he was considered one of the prime contenders for the title. Instead, he was comprehensively outplayed, his game riddled with uncharacteristic errors and a lack of tactical answers.
"There is nothing I did well today. It's as simple as that," a dejected Zverev admitted in his press conference. "I served poorly. I hit the ball poorly. From the ground, I was not there. It's not a secret. He played fantastic. He obviously has every right to win that match, but I wish I could have done a little bit more." The defeat marks his earliest exit from the US Open since 2018 and extends his wait for a major championship.
The Resurgence of FAA
Auger-Aliassime's journey back to this level has been arduous. After breaking into the top 10 in 2022 and winning four titles that season, he was plagued by a persistent knee injury in 2023 that saw his ranking plummet outside the top 30. Questions about his confidence and his game became frequent. This victory, against one of the most in-form players on tour, feels like a monumental statement.
His coach, Frédéric Fontang, pointed to improved health and a renewed mindset as the catalysts. "The body is finally cooperating, which is the first step," Fontang said. "But more importantly, Felix is playing with joy again. He is trusting his shots, trusting the work we have done. This is the player we know he can be."
Looking Ahead: A Daunting Path Forward
The draw has now blown wide open in the bottom half, and Auger-Aliassime's victory instantly makes him a dangerous dark horse. He will next face the winner of the match between American Tommy Paul and Czech player Jiří Lehečka. A potential quarterfinal clash with second seed Novak Djokovic looms, a prospect that seemed improbable just days ago but now carries immense intrigue.
For now, Auger-Aliassime is choosing to focus on the present. "This is one great win, and I will enjoy it tonight," he said with a smile. "But the tournament is not over. The job is not done. I have to reset, recover, and prepare for the next challenge. I know what I'm capable of, and the goal is to keep this level going match after match." On the evidence of his superb performance against Zverev, that is a daunting proposition for anyone left in his path.