Felix Auger-Aliassime admits to having 'lots of nerves' after fighting back to beat Alex de Minaur in tense US Open 2025 quarter-final
Updated 03/09/2025 at 22:10 GMT+1
Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alex de Minaur played out an error-filled, tension-soaked quarter-final on Arthur Ashes in the quarter-finals of the US Open on Wednesday. In a match that ebbed and flowed with each player enjoying periods of dominance, Canada's Auger-Aliassime eventually claimed victory to book his place in the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows.
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Felix Auger-Aliassime is through to the semi-finals of the US Open after fighting back to beat Alex de Minaur in a tension-filled quarter-final at Flushing Meadows.
The Canadian progressed 4-6 7-6(7) 7-5 7-6(4) to reach the last four for the second time in New York.
After losing the first set, Auger-Aliassime was close to going two sets down but produced a stellar comeback in a match which saw both players serve up a host of errors.
Speaking on court after the match, a relieved Auger-Aliassime said: "It was just a lot of nerves today, during the whole match. It wasn’t pretty at all at times but, you know, that’s what Grand Slam matches are.
"Sometimes, some days, you won’t feel your best but I was willing to dig really deep and do everything I can to be standing here right now."
Auger-Aliassime was last in the semi-finals in 2021, when he lost to eventual winner Daniil Medvedev.
Asked how it felt to reach the last four again, he said: "It feels amazing. Four years ago, it feels like more honestly, it was a tough couple of years but it feels even better to be back in the semi-finals.
"It’s been an amazing tournament so far. It’s not over. There’s still some tennis to play and the biggest challenges are yet to come.
"That’s what I live for, that’s what I train for so I’m going to show up and be ready for my match on Friday."
Despite huge serving from Auger-Aliassime in the opening stages, De Minaur took the first break of the match to go 4-3 up, before saving two break points in the very next game.
Auger-Aliassime seemed unfazed as he chucked down three aces on his way to holding, but De Minaur proceeded to take the set on his next service game, at the second time of asking.
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Felix Auger-Aliassime celebrates as he reaches the last four in New York
Image credit: Getty Images
The Canadian continued to bring constant power to Arthur Ashe, but De Minaur's relentless ability to run for every shot - and make the most of them - saw him frustrate his opponent.
This was most evident when a shot to the back of the court from Auger-Aliassime was returned with a tweener lob from De Minaur.
The second set went all the way to a tie-break, with Auger-Aliassime digging deep to take it and level the match.
The world No. 27 took his momentum into the third set and he got the first break as a De Minaur double fault gifted him the chance to edge ahead.
De Minaur then missed two break points and kicked a ball into the crowd out of frustration.
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However, after giving himself the chance to serve his way to a 2-1 lead, Auger-Aliassime double faulted before putting a forehand long as De Minaur made it 5-5.
The tension was high at Flushing Meadows, which led to more mistakes, and a lost serve from De Minaur allowed Auger-Aliassime a second chance to win the set, which he took.
De Minaur raced into a 4-1 lead in the fourth set to show the topsy-turvy quarter-final was far from over, only for Auger-Aliassime to roar back and take it to a tie-break.
Both players opened with a double fault, to show the huge pressure they were feeling. But Auger-Aliassime proceeded to handle the pressure better and take the tie-break 7-4, booking his place in the last four at the final Grand Slam of the year.
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