Félix Auger-Aliassime kept his team, the Kites, still believing in their chances of winning the final of the World Tennis League mixed preparatory event on Saturday in the United Arab Emirates.
To do this, the Quebecer defeated Alexander Zverev in two sets of 6-4 and 6-3. The German is part of the Hawks, who have a 19-16 lead after two of three games in the final.
Elena Rybakina had put this team ahead 12-4 by surprising world No. 1, Iga Swiatek, earlier in the day.
It is therefore the mixed doubles clash that will determine the outcome of the competition. Kites Sania Mirza and Holger Rune will face Hawks Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Dominic Thiem.
To return to the Auger-Aliassime match, the sixth player on the world board broke Zverev’s serve three times, in addition to saving the four break points offered by his rival. “FAA” also hit 80% of their first serve attempts and won 77% of rallies played in this situation.
The Montreal native has had a flawless run in the World Tennis League. He previously defeated Nick Kyrgios [Eagles] and Thiem [Hawks].
