Canada's Auger-Aliassime advances to U.S. Open semis after opponent retires
The Canadian Press | Posted: September 7, 2021 8:32 PM | Last Updated: September 8, 2021
Set to face No. 2 Daniil Medvedev for trip to 1st career major final
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime, the No. 12 seed, joined fellow Canadian Leylah Annie Fernandez in the U.S. Open semifinals on Tuesday after his opponent Carlos Alcaraz of Spain retired in the second set.
The 21-year-old Auger-Aliassime was up 6-3, 3-1 when 18-year-old Alcaraz waved over his trainer before calling an end to his tournament.
Alcaraz says he stopped playing because of an issue with a muscle in his right leg.
"I didn't see it coming. It's unfortunate to finish like this," said Auger-Aliassime. "I didn't really see anything. Either I was too focused on my game or I'm not seeing things."
WATCH | Auger-Aliassime advances to semifinals:
Auger-Aliassime becomes the first Canadian man to reach the U.S. Open semifinals where he will take on second seeded Daniil Medvedev of Russia.
"It's great for Canada. It's great for Quebec," said Auger-Aliassime. "I never thought a day like this would come. Both a little girl and a little boy from Montreal, both at the same time in the semifinals of the U.S. Open. It's special."
"It's great but it would be amazing if we were both in a final."
Medvedev, a 25-year-old from Russia, earned a spot in the final four at Flushing Meadows for the third consecutive year by stopping the surprising run of Dutch qualifier Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-0, 4-6, 7-5.
The No. 2 seed from Russia dropped a set for the first time in the tournament but recovered to keep alive his bid for a first Grand Slam title.
Medvedev got close in 2019, falling to Rafael Nadal in a fifth set at Flushing Meadows, before losing to eventual champion Dominic Thiem in last year's semifinals.
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