FAA wins a marathon to return to the semis

Felix Auger-Aliassime fought for more than four hours to return to the US Open semi-finals for the first time in four years, with the gritty Canadian edging out Alex de Minaur 4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-5, 7-6 (4) on Wednesday.

The marathon quarter-final win will send FAA back inside the ranking top 20 as he came from 4-1 down in the fourth set against his Australian opponent. he won despite 50 unforced errors – most of them in the first two sets.

He awaits a Friday opponent as Jannik Sinner faces Lorenzo Musetti in an all-Italian clash.

FAA, a former junior winner here, dropped the opening set and had to fight throughout the long afternoon to earn his victory, winning the third set with a pair of aces before his fourth-set fightback.

“There were a lot of nerves today, the match was not pretty at times. but that’s the way it can go at the Grand Slams,” the winner said.

“Some days you just don’t feel it. I really had to dig deep and do all that I could to be standing here (a winner)

“It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the semis. it’s been an amazing tournament so far.

“But it’s not over, there is more tennis to play. The biggest challenges are still to come.

“I’ll do what I need to be ready for my match on Friday.”

Main photo:- Felix Auger Aliassime celebrates quarter final win – by Mark Greenwood/Grandslamtennis