Felix Auger-Aliassime explains what was very ‘weird’ about his own performance vs Lorenzo Musetti in Shanghai

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Felix Auger-Aliassime has stormed into the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters after beating Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-2.

Auger-Aliassime is the 12th seed at the ATP Masters 1000 event, and now takes on Arthur Rinderknech for a spot in the semifinals.

The Canadian has yet to drop a set at the Shanghai Masters thus far, where he has also defeated Alejandro Tabilo and Jesper De Jong.

Auger-Aliassime is playing his first tournament since the US Open, where he reached the semifinals this time last month.

His fantastic run in New York was ended by Jannik Sinner, who went on to lose the final to Carlos Alcaraz.

Felix Auger-Aliassime explains what was ‘weird’ about his performance vs Lorenzo Musetti in Shanghai

Auger-Aliassime, now chasing his third ATP title of the season in Shanghai, offered insight into his latest display against Musetti.

As per Sky Sports, he said of his performance: “What would I name it? I don’t know. Inspired Felix, I guess. I felt like I was playing the game fast but seeing it slowly. It was weird.

“You get these type of nights. I have been trying to work my way there and have been working on this type of game plan.

“But to execute it live on a match court at this stage against an opponent like this is a different story to practice, so I am very pleased.

“To play like this means things are coming along nicely. It’s only the quarterfinals, still a lot of tennis to play. But I’m very happy.”

READ MORE: Lorenzo Musetti under fire for his behavior in China again after angry rant in latest match, ‘it’s not a good look’

And giving his thoughts on breaking the ATP top 10, he said: “On paper I am getting closer. I feel better than my best year in 2022.

“I don’t want to project myself too far but I feel good in my game and my level of movement and physicality.

“I need to stay steady with that, keep my head down and keeping working on my craft, so that is what I’ll do.”

What Felix Auger-Aliassime did after his latest win which shows ‘how happy he is’ with his current level

Auger-Aliassime once climbed to number six in the world rankings, but he has since slipped to world number 13.

The Canadian is a seven-time ATP champion, adding two titles to his honours list at Montpellier and Adelaide this season.

As he alluded to, however, his best year arrived in 2022, when he reached that career-high rank and lifted four trophies.

But he is clearly on the way up, with former player Colin Fleming saying of Auger-Aliassime after his latest display: “It’s an impressive performance from a man who looks as confident as ever. I have to say he deserves full credit for the tennis he is playing.

“He is playing with real rhythm and flow now whereas in the past few seasons there has been quite a slow pace and deliberations to what he has been doing but he is flying at the moment Auger-Aliassime.

“I think the turn to the team [at the end] showed how happy he is with that performance and what he is doing.

“I think he is a contender for this title. I don’t think Musetti played a particularly bad match, he was just outplayed today.”

It was indeed a commanding display against eighth seed Musetti, but the tough run now continues against Rinderknech, who just knocked out Jiri Lehecka.

The Frenchman has also beaten third seed Alexander Zverev in Shanghai, while Auger-Aliassime could face Alex de Minaur if he does manage to overcome his next opponent.