*Sinner 3-2 Auger-Aliassime Out of nothing, Auger-Aliassime ups the pace on the backhand, going corner to corner and making 0-15; he really fancies this. But a serve out wide, supported by a clean-up forehand, levels the game, a service-winner follows, and shortly afterwards, so does the game.
Sinner 2-2 Auger-Aliassime* I say that, but it’s been a decent start from Auger-Aliassime, but up 15-0, he works Sinner wide only to overhit having opened the space to attack. Still, the tactic was right even if the execution wasn’t quite and, when Sinner goes long, he has 30-15, then again attacks the forehand from the middle of the baseline to raise two game points, taking the second. Often, these matches are close until they’re not, but so far this is an engrossing contest.
*Sinner 2-1 Auger-Aliassime You get the sense Auger-Aliassime thinks he can do something here – of the nine titles he’s won, eight have come on indoor hard. But if he’s to win, it may have to be with breakers, because Sinner is currently serving like God, quickly making 30-0. But when he misses a first delivery, Auger-Aliassime returns well, goes forehand to forehand and elicits the error. For all the good it does him, two more swift points securing the hold.
