US Open 2025 Men’s Day 9

Felix Auger-Aliassime took full advantage of a nervous and tetchy Andrey Rublev to reach a US Open quarter-final for the second time with a dominating 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 defeat of the 15th seed on Monday at the US Open.

The Canadian winner wasted no time as the second week of the major began, advancing to his fourth career Grand Slam last-eight spot in two and a quarter hours.

FAA delivered his 13th and 14th aces in the final after rallying from 4-2 down in the opening set to set the tone for his eventual victory.

Rublev, who has a reputation as a hothead on court, wasted a 40-0 lead in the sixth game of the second set, dropping serve and destroying a racquet as the Canadian led by a set and 4-2.

FAA sent over a 12th ace in the penultimate game and added a 13th as he wrapped up business a game later on the first of three match points.

“Waking up this morning, I knew I played a great match last time (Hamburg, semi-final loss last May), but you hope he doesn’t play too good and that I can execute my game well.

“Once I settled into the match and I got back (from 4-2 down in the opening set)I felt like, okay, 

“I settled in and I felt much better about my chances. From that moment on I felt like I was putting a lot of pressure on him.

“After I won the first set, I felt I was in control.”

2021 semi-finalist FAA  will be playing his fourth career Grand Slam quarter-final after beating Rublev for only the second time in nine meetings.

The win followed up the best Grand Slam performance of the Canadian’s career as he defeated world No. 3 Alexander Zverev in the third round.

The dream run of Leander Riedi was brought to a halt by eighth seed Alex de Minaur, with the Australian administering a 6-3,6-2,5, 6-1 defeat of the Swiss outsider ranked 435.

The best run of Riedi’s career ended after 85 minutes with the winner delivering nine aces while the Swiss struck nine double-faults.

Riedi, a qualifier,  had been aiming to join Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka as only Swiss men to play Grand Slam quarter-finals this century.

De Minaur increased his ATP stats lead to 28 hardcourt wins this season as he reached his sixth Grand Slam last-eight spot. He now tangles with Auger-Aliassime..

The Aussie who won the Washington title over the summer, credited his efficient win to “tunnel vision.”

“That’s what it’s all about – head down play my match, one point at a time.

“That’s what I’ve been doing my whole career and that won’t change now,” he said after reaching his third quarter-final at Flushing Meadows.

The Australian said his game is currently in a good place.

“My goal was to stay focused, back myself and weather the storm (from Riedi). I’m happy with the focus I had.

“I seem to play good tennis here, the conditions suit me: the balls move through the air a bit quicker and the court skids a bit. I’ve had great results here from  juniors to the main Tour.

“I’m excited to be here and hope to go further and break some new barriers,”