Canadian tennis player Felix Auger-Aliassime has made history by reaching his first Masters final in Madrid, but not in the way he had hoped. The 20-year-old received another walkover, or a win without playing, in the semi-finals due to his opponent, world No. 2 Rafael Nadal, withdrawing from the tournament.
This marks the second time in a row that Auger-Aliassime has advanced to the final without having to play a match. In the quarter-finals, his opponent, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, also withdrew due to an injury.
Despite not having to compete, Auger-Aliassime has had an impressive run in Madrid. He defeated world No. 8 Diego Schwartzman in the third round and world No. 9 Matteo Berrettini in the quarter-finals before receiving the walkovers.
This is a significant achievement for the young Canadian, who is currently ranked No. 20 in the world. It is also a testament to his skill and potential as a rising star in the tennis world.
However, Auger-Aliassime’s path to the final has been met with some criticism and controversy. Some have questioned the legitimacy of his wins, arguing that he has not truly earned his spot in the final.
In response, Auger-Aliassime has stated that he would have preferred to play and earn his spot in the final, but he understands the circumstances and respects his opponents’ decisions to withdraw.
The Canadian will now face world No. 5 Alexander Zverev in the final, who has also received a walkover in the semi-finals. This will be a highly anticipated match between two young and talented players, and it will be interesting to see how Auger-Aliassime performs in his first Masters final.
Regardless of the outcome, Auger-Aliassime’s journey to the final has been a remarkable one, and it is a proud moment for Canadian tennis. He has shown great determination and skill throughout the tournament, and his success in Madrid is a promising sign for his future in the sport.
As the final approaches, all eyes will be on Auger-Aliassime as he looks to make history once again and claim his first Masters title.
