Montreal’s Felix Auger-Aliassime battled past Portugal’s Nuno Borges 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 on Wednesday to secure a spot in the Dubai Tennis Championships quarterfinals. The world No. 21 broke Borges late in the third set before sealing the win with his ninth ace. He converted three of 10 break chances while saving four of six against him in their first ATP Tour meeting.
Auger-Aliassime will next face Croatia’s Marin Cilic, who overcame Australia’s Alexei Popyrin 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. The 24-year-old Canadian is aiming for his third ATP title of the season after victories in Adelaide and Montpellier.
Top-seeded Daniil Medvedev also reached the quarterfinals with a 6-4, 6-4 win over France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Medvedev, ranked No. 6, broke his opponent’s serve once per set and capitalized on his 44 unforced errors. The defending Dubai champion now faces Tallon Griekspoor, who eliminated titleholder Ugo Humbert 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Meanwhile, Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova has withdrawn from the upcoming Indian Wells and Miami tournaments due to a lingering back injury. The world No. 16 has been sidelined since November and previously missed the Australian Open. Austria’s Julia Grabher will replace her in the Indian Wells main draw starting March 5, with the Miami event beginning March 18.
Source: Swifteradio.com
