Auger-Aliassime beats fellow Canadian Shapovalov in the Madrid Opener

Felix Auger-Aliassime had a tough match with the fellow Canadian Denis Shapovalov in the first round of the Madrid Open on Sunday.

The Match

This was the 2^nd time that the best friends faced each other in a tour event. The first time they met, Auger-Aliassime had to retire due to a racing heart. Both the players fought hard in a very close second set but it was Auger-Aliassime who emerged triumphant 6-2 7-6(7)

It was an easy first set win for Auger-Aliassime as he broke Shapovalov in the 3^rd and 7^th game to win 6-2.

In the 2^nd set, after an exchange of breaks in the 5th and 6th game (3-2 and 3-3) the encounter went into a tie-break. The 18-year-old Canadian won the match after converting his 4th match point when Shapovalov hit a forehand shot wide.

Auger-Aliassime is a rising star and he couldn’t have thought of a better start in the tournament. It was a well-fought match between the two Canadians. Shapovalov fought hard and saved 3 match points but it was the steadiness and excellence of Auger-Aliassime which forced errors from him. The 18-year-old Montreal native converted three of his nine break points.

World no.30 Auger-Aliassime will now face world no.2 Rafael Nadal in the second round of the tournament. There is no head to head record between them since this will be the first time that they will play each other.