Felix Auger-Aliassime continued his winning run at the Swiss Indoors Basel with an opening win over Gabriel Diallo.
Auger-Aliassime beat his fellow Canadian Diallo 6-2, 7-5 to set up a round of 16 meeting with veteran Marin Cilic.
He entered the ATP 500 on the back of winning the title at the European Open, claiming his third ATP success of the season in Brussels.
Auger-Aliassime has been backed to challenge Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, although he remains outside the top 10 in the ATP rankings.
He currently occupies 12th place, but Auger-Aliassime is eyeing an ATP Finals place alongside the leading duo.
Why Felix Auger-Aliassime was more nervous than ever before against Gabriel Diallo
Auger-Aliassime stormed through his opener at the Basel Open, but it certainly wasn’t an easy task for the Canadian in more ways than one.
Reacting to the victory, he said: “He [Diallo] is a hell of a player. It was tough to play such a good friend, a bit awkward… I don’t think I have ever been so nervous at the start of a match.
“Throughout the year we are messaging each other, cheering each other up. It’s amazing that we get to play against each other on the ATP Tour.”
One-time ATP champion Gabriel Diallo has impressed Felix Auger-Aliassime and Taylor Fritz
The duo put their friendship to one side during the match, but certainly rekindled at the net after Auger-Aliassime claimed the win.
It can’t have been easy for either player in Basel, but they remained professional during their time on the court.
And Diallo can certainly hold his head high despite the defeat, with the Canadian definitely making waves on the ATP Tour.
American star Taylor Fritz was really impressed by Diallo after their Wimbledon match earlier this season, while Auger-Aliassime clearly sees his talent.
Having once reached 33rd in the world, the 24-year-old is currently ranked 41st, and claimed his only title to date at ‘s-Hertogenbosch this season.
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