Felix Auger-Aliassime delivered his first victory at the ATP Finals in Turin this week. The Canadian overcame a calf injury experienced against Jannik Sinner and prevailed over Ben Shelton 4-6, 7-6, 7-5 in two hours and 25 minutes.
Felix denied a decisive break point in the eighth game of the second set. He seized the fourth set point in the tie break to survive and introduce a decider. The more experienced player served well in the final set and grabbed a late break to emerge at the top.
The Canadian claimed nine points more than the American. He served at 80% and got broken two times from three chances offered to his rival. Ben struggled behind the second serve and experienced two breaks from seven break points.
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Auger-Aliassime tamed his strokes nicely and landed 37 winners and 22 unforced errors, while his rival stood on a 25-29 ratio. Shelton fired more service winners but trailed from the baseline and at the net.
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They stayed neck and neck in the shortest exchanges. Felix outplayed Ben in the more advanced exchanges and earned the win in that segment. A left-hander made a strong start.
He provided four fine holds and grabbed a break in the fourth game for a 5-2 advantage. Felix pulled the break back in the ninth game before suffering another break at 4-5 to hand the opener to his rival.
They served well in the eighth game, and the Canadian denied a break point in game eight to remain in contention. They embraced a tight tie break, with Auger-Aliassime converting the fourth set point at 8-7 to introduce a decider.
Felix provided six comfortable holds in the final set. He missed two break chances in the fourth game before delivering a crucial break at 6-5 to emerge at the top.
