Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in two sets, 7-6 6-2 (1h43), in the last 16 of the Open 13 Provence.
Despite his victory in Rotterdam last week - the first title of his career - it was not a foregone conclusion for the Canadian against the three-time winner of the Open 13 Provence. Not only were there questions about his physical condition, but also about the fact that Auger-Aliassime, seeded third, was facing Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, his "absolute idol", for the first time on court.
These two elements contributed to the fact that the first set was not the same as the second. Indeed, the first set, which was disputed despite a break and a debreak, ended in a tiebreak clearly dominated by the world number 9 (7 points to 3). Once the pressure of the first set had been taken off, FAA was able to free himself and make the difference more easily.
The handshake was very warm, with Felix-Auger-Aliassime admitting to Tsonga that he was his idol, and Tsonga congratulating his "tormentor" of the day, advising him not to be shy and to go for it. It was a real handover between two players who have a lot in common.
In the quarter-finals, Felix Auger-Aliassime will face Belarusian Ilya Ivashka, seeded fifth.
