Auger-Aliassime Secures First Career Top-5 Grand Slam Win, Advances to US Open Fourth Round

New York – Felix Auger-Aliassime, the 25th seed, has achieved a significant milestone in his career, defeating world No. 3 Alexander Zverev in a thrilling four-set encounter at the US Open. The Canadian rallied from a set down to secure a 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-4 victory, marking his first-ever win against a top-five ranked opponent at a Grand Slam. This monumental win propels Auger-Aliassime into the last 16 of the tournament.

The match, which lasted three hours and 48 minutes on Louis Armstrong Stadium, saw Zverev, the 2020 US Open runner-up, take the opening set. However, Auger-Aliassime displayed remarkable resilience, saving a set point in the second-set tiebreak before clinching it 9-7, a pivotal moment that shifted the momentum. "It feels really good," Auger-Aliassime stated after the match, adding, "I’m still young, but I’ve been working at this for years. Some people may have been watching me for the first time tonight, and to show that kind of tennis on this stage means a lot."

Auger-Aliassime, a former top-10 player and 2021 US Open semifinalist, showcased an impressive attacking game, winning 24 of his 27 net points. He recorded 51 winners, demonstrating a bold and aggressive approach that paid dividends against the German. This victory marks his ninth time reaching the second week of a Grand Slam and his second at the US Open.

For Alexander Zverev, this defeat signifies his earliest exit from the US Open since 2018, following a first-round loss at Wimbledon earlier this summer. Zverev expressed his frustration with his performance, stating, “I had absolutely no feeling of the ball whatsoever here, the first two matches either. When it’s like that, even today I tried to be aggressive a few times, but I’m just missing.” He acknowledged Auger-Aliassime's superior play, remarking, "Credit to him, he played better than me all around."

The Canadian's triumph is a significant boost after a season marked by inconsistency and recurring injuries. His performance against Zverev, who had held a 6-2 head-to-head advantage prior to this match, underscores his potential to make a deep run in the tournament. Auger-Aliassime will now face 15th seed Andrey Rublev in the fourth round.