Getty Images / Alex Pantling / Pictured: Félix Auger-Aliassime
Tenth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime lost a more than three-hour match to Alexei Popyrin in the second round of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament on clay in Rome. Alex de Minaur was also eliminated, Jannik Sinner did not disappoint.
In the second round, the top tennis seeds joined the competition in the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Rome. One of the first numbered players to enter the field was Félix Auger-Aliassime. At the same time, the Canadian marked “ten” became the first player with such a status to say goodbye to the event. After a game of three hours and 17 minutes, he lost 4:6, 6:4, 5:7 to Alexei Popyrin.
Friday’s Australian qualifier had eight aces, three breaks and 36 finishes. By beating Auger-Aliassime, currently ranked 10th in the ATP, Popyrin, 23, earned his fifth career victory against a Top 10 opponent and his second against the Canadian.
Alex de Minaur, the ’17’ tournament, was also dropped from the seed list. The Australian, like in March in Indian Wells, lost to Marton Fucsovics. The Hungarian will face Cameron Norrie in the third round. Number 13, the Briton gave five games to Alexandre Muller, the qualifier.
Jannik Sinner did not disappoint. The home favorite on center court won 6-1, 6-4 against qualifier Thanasi Kokkinakis in 80 minutes. – I’m happy with my level. It wasn’t easy, it was windy, but I’m happy with the way I served and felt the ball. I want to go as far as possible in this tournament,” said the Italian, as quoted by atptour.com.
The number eight seed Sinner (two aces, three breaks and 24 winners on Friday) in the Round of 16 will face Alexander Shevchenko, who entered the group as the ‘lucky loser’ of elimination, replacing Tallon Griekspoor , and faced Sebastian Baezem.
Francisco Cerundolo also entered the second round. Number 24, the Argentinian converted eight of his 17 break points and beat Yibing Wu 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 after a two-hour game.
Internazionali BNL d’Italia, Rome (Italy)
ATP Masters 1000, clay, €7.705 million prize pool
friday may 12
2nd singles round:
Jannik Sinner (Italy, 8) v Thanasi Kokkinakis (Australia, Q) 6-1, 6-4
Cameron Norrie (UK, 13) – Alexandre Muller (France, Q) 6-2, 6-3
Francisco Cerundolo (Argentina, 24) – Yibing Wu (China) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
Alexei Popyrin (Australia, Q) bt Felix Auger-Aliassime (Canada, 10th) 6-4, 4-6, 7-5
Marton Fucsovics (Hungary) – Alex de Minaur (Australia, 17) 6-3, 6-4
Alexander Shevchenko (LL) – Sebastian Baez (Argentina) 6-3, 6-4
Men’s tournament schedule and results
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