Felix Auger Aliassime vs Carlos Alcaraz Garfia: H2H: US Open 2021: Quarterfinal

“Expect The Unexpected” has truly happened in New York City. 21-year-old Felix Auger Aliassime locks horns against teen sensation Carlos Alcaraz Garfia in the quarterfinals of the US Open 2021.  

Felix Auger Aliassime vs Carlos Alcaraz Garfia: H2H

This is the first clash between the two New-Gen players on the ATP Tour.  

SportCo previews the games of these two talents and why their weapons have excelled in Flushing Meadows.  

Felix Auger Aliassime: The secret role of Toni Nadal behind his rise

The Canadian made heads turn in Wimbledon this year. His big serve and fast legs made a huge difference. Felix has been a revelation in the US Open. With a towering height of 6’4”, he has smashed 77 aces in just 4 matches.  

Toni Nadal (uncle and ex-coach of Rafael Nadal) has helped Aliassime retain his focus amidst the 100% packed crowd. With spectators firmly behind homeboy Frances Tiafoe, the 12th seed lost the first set 6-4.

As Tiafoe kept Felix on the toes with his forehand, Auger controlled the rallies in the second set and won it 6-2. The third set witnessed scintillating shotmaking as Frances and Aliassime had a first-serve winning percentage of 83 and 82 respectively. 

Egged on by the passionate tennis fans, Tiafoe saved 3 set points. The Canadian never allowed the nerves to affect him. Felix maintained a flawless tiebreak record (4-0) and took it 7-6. The win % on the first serve made a big difference in the 4th set as the 21-year-old clinched 86% of points when compared to Frances’s 69. 

The final point of the match witnessed a thunderous cross-court forehand and a strong clenching of the fists by Felix. Toni Nadal’s partnership did not click in the French Open (Aliassime lost in the first round to Andreas Seppi).

However, the Montreal sensation has made amends with back-to-back grand slam quarterfinals. Felix’s two-handed backhand similar to Nadal has been on fire in New York. With a broad shoulder and long hands, he has been ticking the right boxes. 

Carlos Alcaraz Garfia: Leading the Spanish flag at the US Open 2021

Alcaraz made history once again after beating qualifier Peter Gojowczyk in another 5-setter. Carlos was trailing by 2 sets to one (7-5 1-6 7-5). However, similar to Nadal’s never-say-die attitude, the Spaniard’s game went up another level in the high-pressure moments.  

The 4th and 5th sets were one-sided as the 18-year-old won 6-2 6-0. Carlos Alcaraz Garfia committed just 7 unforced errors and hit 16 winners. Fatigue of 6 matches affected Peter as he lost steam. The German made 32 unforced errors and ended up with just 1 winner in the final set.

Juan Carlos Ferrero has helped Carlos Alcaraz fulfill his massive potential. The Spaniard has kept cool especially in the night matches. 

“Great attitude, fight until the end, try to be himself on court and not be intimidated by where he is playing or against whom”, says Ferrero, a former World number 1 to his ward Carlos. 

Above all, Alcaraz has also become the youngest player in the Open Era to storm into the US Open quarterfinals since Brazilian Thomas Koch in 1963). 

How Felix Auger Aliassime and Carlos Alcaraz Garfia changed the status quo?

“It’s a dream come true, no, it is really tough to play these kinds of matches, to play fifth sets, I hope to play more second weeks, to play more quarterfinals of Grand Slams, I didn’t expect to play quarterfinals here, so it’s a really good performance from me in these matches,” reflected Carlos after his magical run in New York. 

“He (Alcaraz) is a great player, at some point, age is just a number, he already feels like a player who is established, he is playing some amazing tennis,” remarked Felix Aliassime praising Carlos Alcaraz Garfia for his fearlessness.  

So beloved fans, who are you vouching for? The big serve of Felix Auger Aliassime or the strong baseline game of Carlos Alcaraz Garfia. Do share your opinions below.  

Featured Image Credits - Next-Gen ATP Finals - Twitter