The match between the number four seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime and Mackenzie McDonald was tough, both had to work hard on the Centre Court at Halle. In the end the favourite to win pushed through. Felix Auger-Aliassime won 7:6(7), 6:1.
Both players won their service points until the tiebreak of the first set. Both only allowed on break possibility respectively. Both couldn’t convert their break chances. It looked different in the tiebreak, though. Of 18 played points half were socalled mini-breaks. The Canadian player scored more of them and thus secured round one.
Winning the set was good for the 21-year-old semi-finalist of last year. His game became more powerful and thus he got an early first break of the match. Felix Auger-Aliassime was now not leaving the path towards the quarterfinals. Two further breaks followed, while he himself won his own service games. Mackenzie McDonald was not able to hold against the pressure coming from the Canadian. The 7:6(7), 6:1-victory of the 21-year-old was totally okay.
”It was a tight match in the first set. Then at last I was more relaxed and was able to put more pressure on him”, a visibly satisfied winner said after his success. Felix Auger-Aliassime now meets Polish player Hubert Hurkacz in the quarterfinals on Friday – the duel of the World No 9 against the No. 12. This will be a top duel in the round of the last eight.
