Felix Auger-Aliassime has crashed out of Roland Garros after losing his quarterfinal with Flavio Cobolli.
Auger-Aliassime was fully focused on Cobolli amid the shock exits of many top players, and he certainly started the stronger of the two.
But despite winning the opening set in the French capital, Auger-Aliassime was beaten 6-4, 4-6, 4-6, 4-6 by the Italian.
There was, however, a significant turning point concerning the match conditions when the roof was closed at the start of the second set.
Roland Garros organizers took the decision amid the wind in Paris, with former ATP number one Mats Wilander suggesting the Canadian will be annoyed by that move.
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Mats Wilander suggests Felix Auger-Aliassime will be annoyed by Roland Garros decision
Speaking live on TNT Sports, Wilander said of such annoyance: “I would be if I was Felix.
“He was winning and handling it better.
“I am sure he was not having a great time, and when you do close the roof you know you are going to play better.
“I am sure that scoreboard dictates how you feel at that moment and he was winning.
“He was up a break in the second set and then the match turned around.
“So, yeah, I think he will be [annoyed].”
Earlier in the day, Philippe Chatrier experienced windy conditions for the women’s clash between Aryna Sabalenka and Diana Shnaider, but the roof was not closed.
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Auger-Aliassime seemingly adapted to the blustery conditions in set one better, claiming an important lead after one hour of action.
He was even able to build a 3-1 lead in the second set with the roof closed, confirming his fine reputation when playing indoors.
But the momentum shifted from that moment onwards, with Cobolli deserving huge credit for taking the match to the Canadian.
The winner now turns his focus to compatriot Matteo Arnaldi, with their match representing the first all-Italian men’s major semifinal in the history of the sport.
Arnaldi progressed after his countryman Matteo Berrettini retired hurt during their quarterfinal, while Alexander Zverev meets Jakub Mensik in the other semifinal.
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