Felix Auger-Aliassime is on track to win his maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, where he is now into the quarterfinals.
Fourth seed Auger-Aliassime meets 10th seed Flavio Cobolli for a spot in the semifinals, with the Canadian the second-highest-ranked player remaining in the men’s draw after second seed Alexander Zverev.
The rare situation has arrived after the shock exits of top seed Jannik Sinner and third seed Novak Djokovic.
Struggling with his fitness, Sinner lost to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round of the clay-court Grand Slam, while Djokovic was beaten by Joao Fonseca in round three.
Canadian ace Auger-Aliassime has now discussed the impact that the exits of his ATP rivals have had on him at Roland Garros.
How concerned are you about Jannik Sinner’s physical issues going forward in his career?
How Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic losses have impacted Felix Auger-Aliassime
Speaking after beating Alejandro Tabilo in round four, he said: “I think now we have got used to it from my point.
“There was that two days in a row where Sinner lost and then Djokovic lost and there was a lot of noise but that was last week.
“As the days have gone by you kind of get used to it.
“Today I did not feel anything different.
“I don’t know if it’s supposed to add nerves.
“Also me playing Cobolli in the quarters is almost normal, he is the 10th seed.
“Then, of course, not having Sinner in the semifinals is an opportunity but you need to be there, so I have to focus on the next match and try and be in the semifinals.”
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Felix Auger-Aliassime makes history at Roland Garros
It is indeed a fantastic opportunity for Auger-Aliassime, who has now reached the quarterfinals of all four Grand Slams thanks to his current run in Paris.
And that impressive feat is a historic one, with the 25-year-old now the first Canadian man to reach that stage of all the tournaments.
He will, however, be determined to go a few steps further in the French capital, but his next opponent is also enjoying an impressive run.
And it would be the first of two successive matches against Italian opponents should Auger-Aliassime make it through.
If he does get past Cobolli in the quarterfinals, he will meet the winner of the match between compatriots Matteo Berrettini and Matteo Arnaldi.
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