Felix Auger-Aliassime advances to first major semi-final after Alcaraz retires

Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime has made it to his first major semi-final after Carlos Alcaraz retired due to a right adductor injury in the quarter-final clash. The 21-year from Canada was leading 6-3, 3-1 before Alcaraz decided to pull out. Thus, Felix has become the first Canadian man to make the US Open semi-finals in tournament history (since 1881).

Furthermore, he has become the youngest player to make it to the US Open semifinal after Juan Martin Del Potro clinched the title back in 2009. The youngster has impressed with his skills and he is delighted to make it to his maiden US Open semifinal.

“It’s an amazing milestone. It’s been a fantastic tournament for me. Of course, it was a weird ending today.  But in the end, I’m through,” Auger-Aliassime said in his on-court interview. “I’ll have a chance to play on Friday against one of the best players in the world right now to have a chance to be in my first Grand Slam final. It’s amazing, I’m happy I’m through and I’ll try to win the next one.”

Meanwhile, Felix admitted he was not aware that Alcaraz was not 100% and realized it when his opponent called the physio on the court to seek medical attention. Alcaraz had played two five-set matches against Stefanos Tsitsipas and Peter Gojowczyk, which didn’t give him much time to recover.

“No, I didn’t [know anything was wrong] until he called the physio. I don’t know what happened, clearly, but it’s unfortunate. I didn’t see it coming. He’s such a good player. You guys were amazing again tonight,” Auger-Aliassime told the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd. “I thought we were putting on a good show.”

The Canadian will now face Daniil Medvedev in the semifinal of the tournament. Medvedev had won the previous match against Felix Auger-Aliassime, which was the Round of 32 of the National Bank Open three years ago.