Regardless of coming into the week with a 17-18 tour-level document this season, the Canadian efficiently defended his Swiss Indoors Basel title with a 7-6(3), 7-6(5) win towards Hubert Hurkacz on Sunday within the ATP 500 ultimate.
Auger-Aliassime had made only one semi-final in 2023, and that got here in February in Doha. However the 23-year-old, who has struggled with damage, grew in confidence all through a formidable week in Switzerland, the place he misplaced just one set en path to the trophy. Auger-Aliassime misplaced the primary eight ATP Tour finals of his profession, however he has now received 5 of his previous six championship clashes.
“I’m positively again. I let my racquet discuss. That’s at all times been the motto of my profession. I’ve had the conviction that I could be a high participant since I’m a child, however there have been many doubts this yr about my performances and why,” Auger-Aliassime stated in his on-court interview. “I’m blissful that I used to be in a position to show to everyone that I nonetheless belong among the many greatest gamers on the planet, that I can play this stage. I by no means doubted it, but it surely’s good to verify it on the court docket.”
The match went to 2 tie-breaks, however Auger-Aliassime appeared in management for nearly your entire encounter. The Canadian dominated behind his serve, shedding simply 9 service factors throughout each units. Auger-Aliassime hit an enormous backhand return that Hurkacz couldn’t deal with to shut out the opening set and maintained that dedication all through.
From early within the second set, Hurkacz was restricted in his motion and infrequently grimaced as he seemingly handled a left leg damage, for which he didn’t name the physio. The 26-year-old battled valiantly to avoid wasting all 5 break factors he confronted, together with 4 within the second set, and even led by a mini-break within the second-set tie-break.
However Auger-Aliassime wouldn’t be denied his first title of the season. The 23-year-old closed out the match like he did the primary set, with an enormous backhand return.
“I’m blissful on your victory. Clearly I want the end result was totally different, however positively you deserved it,” Hurkacz stated in the course of the trophy ceremony. “It was positively a difficult season for you however you’re an incredible participant. You proved it right here.”
Auger-Aliassime started the week 53rd within the Pepperstone ATP Dwell Race To Turin and with the title climbed to twenty ninth. Though he can’t qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals, it was an enormous step in the best path for the 2022 Turin competitor. The large smile on his face after shaking palms with Hurkacz spoke to how a lot the second meant.
“Numerous powerful occasions. It was a brand new problem this yr being away from the court docket, making an attempt to handle, play tournaments by way of accidents with painkillers and issues like this and nonetheless as we speak really,” Auger-Aliassime stated. “It’s been a difficult yr total, however this feels further particular, much more than final yr. I feel with the primary title [of the year] is the sweetest for positive. So I’m going to get pleasure from this one.”
Auger-Aliassime is the primary Canadian to defend an ATP Tour title since Milos Raonic received the San Jose title in 2011 and 2012.
