Felix Auger-Aliassime said stepping back onto Arthur Ashe Stadium “felt even better than the first time” as he returned to the U.S. Open quarterfinals with a composed 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 win over Andrey Rublev on Monday.
The 25-year-old, reaching his first major quarterfinal since the 2022 Australian Open, kept his cool to notch his second victory in nine meetings with the Russian.
The Canadian admitted the moment carried extra weight after battling injuries and dips in confidence since his 2021 breakthrough semi-final run at Flushing Meadows.
“Today is my first time playing Arthur Ashe in a few years. It feels even better than the first time,” Auger-Aliassime said.
“In ‘21 I was on my way back and had a few setbacks and injuries, struggles with confidence. To come back here for the second time, it feels better and more deserved. I’m soaking in every moment here,” he added.
The 25th seed, coming off a stunning win over world number three Alexander Zverev, credited his mental approach for back-to-back statement victories.
The result sends Auger-Aliassime into his fourth career major quarterfinal, as he looks to mirror his 2021 run to the semis, where he fell to eventual champion Daniil Medvedev.
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He will next face Australian eighth seed Alex de Minaur.
Musetti sweeps into first US Open quarterfinal
Lorenzo Musetti cruised into a first US Open quarterfinal with a 6-3, 6-0, 6-1 win over unseeded Spaniard Jaume Munar
Italian 10th seed Musetti won 14 of the final 15 games and dropped only five points in the second set in a 97-minute rout of world number 44 Munar.
The 23-year-old goes on to face Jannik Sinner as he bids to reach a third Grand Slam semifinal. He made the last four at Roland Garros this year and at Wimbledon in 2024.
“Honestly, the last month has been terrible,” said Musetti, who lost in the first round at Wimbledon in July and won just once in three hard-court events ahead of the US Open.
“I was a little bit sad about my tennis,” he said.
“You have a lot of ups and downs. You have to stay there, be there mentally, and that’s what I’ve done in the last couple of weeks and I’m really proud of myself,” he added.
(With inputs from AFP)
Published on Sep 02, 2025