The eagerly awaited Miami Open presented by Itau witnessed Felix Auger-Aliassime securing a strong victory against Australian qualifier Adam Walton on Thursday. The Canadian tennis sensation managed to defeat Walton with a score of 7-5, 6-4, showcasing his exceptional skills on the court.
Auger-Aliassime displayed remarkable resilience during the match, particularly when he fought off a series of set points on serve at 4-5 in the first set. His determination paid off as he secured three consecutive games, gaining the upper hand over his 24-year-old opponent, who was competing in his third tour-level match.
In a post-match reflection, Auger-Aliassime acknowledged Walton’s strong gameplay, stating, “I thought he was just playing really well, serving to his targets, [playing] high percentage. He was making me work. It was tricky, he was not missing much. But I’m happy with the way I handled it, to come out of a match like this in straight sets to start things off is positive for me.”
Even a 36-minute rain delay after the opening game failed to deter Auger-Aliassime, who continued to deliver an outstanding performance. The 23-year-old athlete impressively hammered 33 winners, 21 of which were off his formidable forehand, throughout the two-hour-long match.
Looking ahead, Auger-Aliassime is set to face fourth seed Alexander Zverev in the second round. With the German leading 5-2 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, it will undoubtedly be an exhilarating match to watch. As the No. 36 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Auger-Aliassime is eager to build on his 8-7 season record, striving to clinch back-to-back victories for the first time since his semi-final run in Montpellier earlier this year.
Notably, the talented Canadian has a strong history at the Miami Open, having achieved his best ATP Masters 1000 result in 2019 when he enjoyed a remarkable semi-final run as a qualifier. With a record of 8-4 in south Florida and five tour-level titles under his belt, Auger-Aliassime is certainly no stranger to achieving success in the prestigious tournament.
In contrast, Walton, who made his ATP Masters 1000 debut, will undoubtedly be reflecting on his 0/5 break-point conversion rate, as he aims to further develop and refine his skills in future matches.
In another gripping match, Austrian player Sebastian Ofner secured his second ATP Masters 1000 victory by defeating Kei Nishikori with a score of 6-3, 6-4. Ofner’s exceptional performance, characterized by winning 30 out of 37 first-serve points and delivering an impressive 31 winners, proved to be a significant obstacle for Nishikori.
The 27-year-old Ofner expressed his satisfaction with his performance, stating, “It’s never easy to play against a guy like him, he was a top player for years. For me it was a good match since I’ve been struggling a bit and I just tried to not give him too much rhythm… I’m really happy with my performance.” Now, Ofner is set to face 20th seed Francisco Cerundolo in the second round, promising yet another thrilling match for tennis enthusiasts worldwide.
As the Miami Open continues to unfold, fans are undoubtedly eagerly anticipating the remarkable talent and fierce competition that will be showcased in the upcoming matches. The impressive victories of Auger-Aliassime and Ofner serve as a testament to the sheer determination and skill that elevate the game of tennis to new heights.