Match Report
Auger-Aliassime units Lehecka ultimate in Brussels
Canadian is ninth within the PIF ATP Reside Race To Turin
October 18, 2025
Belgaimage
Felix Auger-Aliassime advances to his nineteenth tour-level ultimate on Saturday in Brussels.
By Sam Jacot
Felix Auger-Aliassime superior to his fourth ATP Tour ultimate of the season on Saturday on the BNP Paribas Fortis European Open, the place he ended the run of Belgian wild card Raphael Collignon in Brussels.
The Canadian was strong all through his 7-6(2), 6-4 win and has now earned 40 tour-level victories in 2025. Auger-Aliassime’s greatest yr got here in 2022, when he recorded 60 victories and certified for the Nitto ATP Finals.
Aiming to return to the distinguished year-end occasion this season, the 25-year-old has boosted his hopes along with his run in Brussels. Auger-Aliassime is ninth within the PIF ATP Reside Race To Turin on 3,070 factors, trailing eighth-placed Lorenzo Musetti by 415 factors. The Italian at the moment occupies the ultimate qualification spot.
Auger-Aliassime struck the ball aggressively off each wings to quiet the vocal Belgian crowd and finish the Collignon resistance. He’ll compete for his eighth tour-level crown and third of the season on Sunday.
“I had an incredible opponent in entrance of me and he was impressed by enjoying at residence,” mentioned Auger-Aliassime, who gained the ATP 250 occasion when it was held in Antwerp in 2022. “I knew it may very well be the hardest problem of the week to date. He has been enjoying nice for the previous few weeks and months. It was actually enjoyable to play, excessive depth. It was a pleasure to be part of that and this week and we’ve got yet another to go tomorrow.”
Auger-Aliassime will meet Jiri Lehecka within the title match. The Czech reached the championship match on the ATP 250 occasion for the second yr working after defeating big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6(3), 7-6(7) in a single hour and 32 minutes.
“It’s at all times powerful to arrange for these sorts of matches,” Lehecka mentioned when requested about enjoying Mpetshi Perricard. “It’s important to focus 100 per cent every level as you do not know what’s coming. He has such serve. For me, an important factor was to remain centered on my service video games and await the possibilities.”
Into his sixth tour-level ultimate and third of the season, Lehecka will intention to seize his third title. The 23-year-old, who has lifted trophies on arduous courts in Adelaide and Brisbane, has now gained 15 of his previous 16 matches in opposition to gamers exterior the Prime 20 within the PIF ATP Rankings.
