Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Felix Auger-Aliassime in the QF on Friday

Third Seed Stefanos Tsitsipas takes on Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarterfinals of the 2021 Western and Southern Open on Friday.

Tsitsipas, ranked at a career-high of World No. 3, is one of the favorites for the title in Cincinnati. The 23-year-old has had a solid season, winning titles at Lyon and Monte Carlo and reaching the final at Acapulco, Barcelona and Roland Garros. He came into this tournament on the back of a semifinal run in Toronto.

The Greek has set up the quarterfinal after navigating past two tricky opponents in the early rounds. Tsitsipas defeated local favorite Sebastian Korda 7-6(5), 6-3 in the second round, and overturned a one-set deficit to beat Lorenzo Sonego in the third.

The World 17th Felix Auger-Aliassime will play second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas as he attempts to reach his second semi-final at this level (Miami 2019).

Playing his first event since missing the Tokyo Olympics with a thigh injury, Berrettini looked below peak fitness and had additional strapping applied to his generously taped left leg after the seventh game of the first set. The Wimbledon finalist’s plight was not helped by him labouring on average for two and a half minutes longer on his service games in the first than his opponent and by him offering up eight break point opportunities.

Auger-Aliassime now turns his focus to his seventh ATP Head2Head meeting with Tsitsipas, who has won the past four battles to lead the rivalry 4-2. “He’s a great rival and tomorrow will be another great battle. From here on it will be top, top players.”