Montreal’s Félix Auger-Aliassime secured a significant win at the ATP Finals by staging a comeback to defeat Ben Shelton of the United States with a score of 4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-5 in Turin, Italy on Wednesday.
This victory leveled Auger-Aliassime’s standing at 1-1 in the prestigious year-end men’s tennis championship. The Canadian, aged 25, had previously faced a 7-5, 6-1 defeat against Italy’s Jannik Sinner, where he struggled due to a leg injury.
Despite facing challenges against Shelton and being close to defeat in the second-set tiebreak, Auger-Aliassime managed to turn the match around, marking his fourth comeback from a set down in his last eight games and extending his unbeaten record against Shelton to 2-0.
Reflecting on his performance, Auger-Aliassime acknowledged Shelton’s strong start but expressed his satisfaction with his ability to adapt and find his rhythm as the match progressed. He emphasized the importance of perseverance and tactical play in securing the win.
With this win, Auger-Aliassime’s reputation for excelling in deciding sets is highlighted, leading the ATP Tour with 20 victories in matches that went the distance.
Meanwhile, Shelton’s chances of advancing from the group stage were dashed as he dropped to 0-2. His upcoming match against Alexander Zverev will be crucial, with a win potentially propelling him to the semifinals. On the other hand, Sinner’s victory over Zverev secured his spot in the semifinals, while Zverev’s record stands at 1-1 following the defeat.
Auger-Aliassime, participating in his second ATP Finals appearance, aims to build on his success in previous editions. Despite his earlier upset against Rafael Nadal, he is determined to make a stronger impact this time around.
In a tense match marked by momentum swings and intense rallies, Auger-Aliassime’s resilience and strategic play ultimately secured his victory over Shelton, capping off a thrilling encounter at the ATP Finals.