Montreal’s Félix Auger-Aliassime secured a vital win at the ATP Finals by staging a remarkable comeback against Ben Shelton of the United States in Turin, Italy. Auger-Aliassime, 25, leveled his tournament record at 1-1 following a previous defeat to Jannik Sinner. Despite facing challenges and a potential leg injury, Auger-Aliassime demonstrated resilience, overcoming a set deficit for the fourth time in his last eight matches and extending his unbeaten record against Shelton to 2-0.
In a post-match statement, Auger-Aliassime acknowledged Shelton’s strong start but expressed confidence in his ability to turn the match around through improved returns and determination. With this victory, Auger-Aliassime showcased his prowess in extended matches, leading the ATP Tour with 20 wins in matches that go the distance.
On the other hand, Shelton’s hopes of advancing from the group stage were dashed as he fell to 0-2, with his next match against Alexander Zverev being crucial. Sinner, who defeated Zverev 6-4, 6-3, secured a spot in the semifinals with a 2-0 record, while Zverev sits at 1-1. Auger-Aliassime, a familiar face at the ATP Finals, aims to replicate his success from past tournaments, having previously defeated Rafael Nadal in 2022.
The match between Auger-Aliassime and Shelton was marked by intense competition, with Shelton initially dominating before Auger-Aliassime’s comeback. Despite some tense moments, Auger-Aliassime maintained his composure, eventually breaking Shelton in the final game to clinch victory. Shelton’s frustration was evident as he received a code violation warning for misconduct during the match.
