NEW YORK — Felix Auger-Aliassime stared down both a tenacious opponent and his own faltering form to secure a monumental career milestone, defeating Australia’s Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-3 in a grueling US Open quarterfinal on Wednesday. The victory, achieved on the hallowed grounds of Arthur Ashe Stadium, propels the Canadian into his first-ever US Open semifinal and marks his return to the final four of a Grand Slam for the first time since his breakthrough run at Wimbledon in 2021.
In a match defined by wild momentum swings, Auger-Aliassime was brutally honest in his assessment. "It wasn't pretty at all times," he admitted in his post-match press conference. "But I'm happy I was able to serve it out in the fourth set. It was a battle. Alex is one of the best competitors on the tour. He always makes it tough. He always makes you play an extra ball."
The match began under the closed roof of Ashe due to rain delays, a condition that seemed to favor Auger-Aliassime’s powerful, first-strike tennis. He raced through the first two sets with a commanding display, his thunderous serve and blistering forehand leaving a frustrated de Minaur scrambling. The Canadian fired 16 aces in the opening two sets alone, consistently finding free points and keeping the relentless Aussie at bay.
A Flicker of Hope and a Resurgence
Just as the match appeared to be heading for a straightforward conclusion, de Minaur, known for his indefatigable spirit, mounted a characteristic fightback. He began to extend rallies, forcing Auger-Aliassime into uncomfortable positions and drawing a flurry of errors. The third set culminated in a tense tiebreak, which de Minaur snatched 7-5, sending a jolt of energy through the crowd and suddenly shifting the pressure entirely onto the 22nd seed.
The fourth set was a test of nerve. Auger-Aliassime’s level had noticeably dipped, and de Minaur’s confidence was soaring. The Canadian found himself in a critical 15-40 hole on his serve at 2-2, facing two break points that threatened to hand de Minaur complete control of the match. It was here that Auger-Aliassime dug deepest, unleashing his most potent weapons to escape the danger and hold serve. "That was the key moment," Auger-Aliassime later reflected. "I had to really focus and trust my serve. Getting out of that game was massive for me."
Overcoming Quarterfinal Heartbreak
This victory held extra significance for Auger-Aliassime, who has experienced his share of Grand Slam quarterfinal anguish. He had lost his previous five matches at this stage, a statistic that was undoubtedly weighing on him as de Minaur forced a fourth set. For de Minaur, the loss is a cruel repeat of recent history; this marks his third defeat in a major quarterfinal in 2024 alone, having also fallen at the same stage at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
The key factors that ultimately decided the match included:
- Serve Dominance: Auger-Aliassime finished with a staggering 24 aces.
- Forehand Firepower: He racked up 50 winners, many from his dominant forehand wing.
- Mental Fortitude: Saving those break points at 2-2 in the fourth set was the definitive psychological blow.
After holding from 15-40 down, Auger-Aliassime immediately broke de Minaur’s serve in the next game, a devastating turnaround from which the Australian could not recover. The Canadian then confidently served out the match, sealing the victory on his first match point with yet another unreturnable serve, and let out a massive roar of both relief and triumph.
Looking Ahead to the Semifinals
With this hard-fought win, Auger-Aliassime sets up a blockbuster semifinal clash against the winner of the match between World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz and No. 12 seed Taylor Fritz. A match against the defending champion, Alcaraz, would be a monumental challenge, while a meeting with Fritz would present a different tactical puzzle. Regardless of the opponent, Auger-Aliassime will need to harness the same fighting spirit he displayed against de Minaur.
He acknowledged the scale of the opportunity ahead. "It means a lot," he said of reaching the semis. "It's been a while since I've been in this stage of a Slam. I've had some tough losses in quarterfinals. To get over that hurdle, especially here in New York, which is such a big tournament for me, it feels great. I'm just happy to still be alive and have another chance to play."
For Alex de Minaur, it’s another case of what might have been. He praised his opponent’s performance but was left to rue his slow start. "Felix was simply too good for the first two sets," de Minaur stated. "I managed to find a way to get back into it, but he lifted again when he needed to. He served incredibly well in the big moments. I left it all out there, but it wasn't enough today."
The match, lasting three hours and twenty minutes, was a testament to the fine margins at the pinnacle of tennis. Auger-Aliassime’s ability to produce his best tennis under the most extreme pressure was the ultimate difference. While it may not have been a flawless performance, his resilience and power carried him through, finally breaking his quarterfinal curse and earning a coveted spot in the final four of the year’s final Grand Slam.