Teen's adventures in grass-court wonderland ended
The 17-year-old became the youngest man in 40 years - since Boris Becker won at Wimbledon - to reach the quarter-finals of an ATP grass-court event but he proved no match for Auger-Aliassime in a 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 defeat.
Engel had claimed his first professional victory on grass earlier this week when he beat Australian James Duckworth, following it up with an upset win over US seventh seed Alex Michelsen, but beating the experienced Canadian proved to be a step too far for the teenager in Friday's quarter-finals.
"His serve was so incredibly good today that I felt pressure in my own service games," Engel said.
"But it was great fun playing in front of this crowd again. I can't wait to play here again next year."
Top seed and home favourite Alexander Zverev beat Brandon Nakashima 7-5 6-4 to advance to the semi-finals while Americans Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton also reached the last four.
Zverev is seeking his first grasscourt title and was involved in a tight opening set which was tied at 5-5 when the German switched gears in the final two games to clinch it.
But Zverev was far more dominant against his American opponent in the second set as he finished the match with 31 winners in a contest that lasted 90 minutes.
He will play third seed Shelton next after the American, who was virtually unstoppable on his first serve, beat Jiri Lehecka 6-4 6-4, firing down 18 aces.
Shelton was so dominant in the second set that he did not lose a single point on serve while he won 100 per cent of his first-serve points in the match, with victory ensuring he will break into the top 10 for the first time in his career.
Marton Fucsovics had beaten Fritz in straight sets in Stuttgart two years ago but this time the American, who has yet to drop a set at the tournament, came out on top in a dominant 6-3 6-4 victory.
In the other pre-Wimbledon grass-court event going on in the Netherlands, American lucky loser Reilly Opelka put up an intense battle to stun top seed Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5) and reach the semi-finals in Rosmalen.
Medvedev served up three double faults in the second set tiebreak and five overall, but there were no such errors from Opelka, who slammed down 24 aces.
The giant Opelka will contest a grass-court semi-final for the second time in his career and faces Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal or Belgium's Zizou Bergs on Saturday for a spot in the final.
French second seed Ugo Humbert will play Canadian Gabriel Diallo in the other semi.
Diallo knocked out third seed Karen Khachanov 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 while the Frenchman eliminated Portuguese Nuno Borges, seeded seventh, 6-1 6-4.
German youngster Justin Engel, who's enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough event in the Stuttgart Open, has finally had his adventures ended by Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The 17-year-old became the youngest man in 40 years - since Boris Becker won at Wimbledon - to reach the quarter-finals of an ATP grass-court event but he proved no match for Auger-Aliassime in a 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 defeat.
Engel had claimed his first professional victory on grass earlier this week when he beat Australian James Duckworth, following it up with an upset win over US seventh seed Alex Michelsen, but beating the experienced Canadian proved to be a step too far for the teenager in Friday's quarter-finals.
"His serve was so incredibly good today that I felt pressure in my own service games," Engel said.
"But it was great fun playing in front of this crowd again. I can't wait to play here again next year."
Top seed and home favourite Alexander Zverev beat Brandon Nakashima 7-5 6-4 to advance to the semi-finals while Americans Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton also reached the last four.
Zverev is seeking his first grasscourt title and was involved in a tight opening set which was tied at 5-5 when the German switched gears in the final two games to clinch it.
But Zverev was far more dominant against his American opponent in the second set as he finished the match with 31 winners in a contest that lasted 90 minutes.
He will play third seed Shelton next after the American, who was virtually unstoppable on his first serve, beat Jiri Lehecka 6-4 6-4, firing down 18 aces.
Shelton was so dominant in the second set that he did not lose a single point on serve while he won 100 per cent of his first-serve points in the match, with victory ensuring he will break into the top 10 for the first time in his career.
Marton Fucsovics had beaten Fritz in straight sets in Stuttgart two years ago but this time the American, who has yet to drop a set at the tournament, came out on top in a dominant 6-3 6-4 victory.
In the other pre-Wimbledon grass-court event going on in the Netherlands, American lucky loser Reilly Opelka put up an intense battle to stun top seed Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5) and reach the semi-finals in Rosmalen.
Medvedev served up three double faults in the second set tiebreak and five overall, but there were no such errors from Opelka, who slammed down 24 aces.
The giant Opelka will contest a grass-court semi-final for the second time in his career and faces Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal or Belgium's Zizou Bergs on Saturday for a spot in the final.
French second seed Ugo Humbert will play Canadian Gabriel Diallo in the other semi.
Diallo knocked out third seed Karen Khachanov 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 while the Frenchman eliminated Portuguese Nuno Borges, seeded seventh, 6-1 6-4.
German youngster Justin Engel, who's enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough event in the Stuttgart Open, has finally had his adventures ended by Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The 17-year-old became the youngest man in 40 years - since Boris Becker won at Wimbledon - to reach the quarter-finals of an ATP grass-court event but he proved no match for Auger-Aliassime in a 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 defeat.
Engel had claimed his first professional victory on grass earlier this week when he beat Australian James Duckworth, following it up with an upset win over US seventh seed Alex Michelsen, but beating the experienced Canadian proved to be a step too far for the teenager in Friday's quarter-finals.
"His serve was so incredibly good today that I felt pressure in my own service games," Engel said.
"But it was great fun playing in front of this crowd again. I can't wait to play here again next year."
Top seed and home favourite Alexander Zverev beat Brandon Nakashima 7-5 6-4 to advance to the semi-finals while Americans Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton also reached the last four.
Zverev is seeking his first grasscourt title and was involved in a tight opening set which was tied at 5-5 when the German switched gears in the final two games to clinch it.
But Zverev was far more dominant against his American opponent in the second set as he finished the match with 31 winners in a contest that lasted 90 minutes.
He will play third seed Shelton next after the American, who was virtually unstoppable on his first serve, beat Jiri Lehecka 6-4 6-4, firing down 18 aces.
Shelton was so dominant in the second set that he did not lose a single point on serve while he won 100 per cent of his first-serve points in the match, with victory ensuring he will break into the top 10 for the first time in his career.
Marton Fucsovics had beaten Fritz in straight sets in Stuttgart two years ago but this time the American, who has yet to drop a set at the tournament, came out on top in a dominant 6-3 6-4 victory.
In the other pre-Wimbledon grass-court event going on in the Netherlands, American lucky loser Reilly Opelka put up an intense battle to stun top seed Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5) and reach the semi-finals in Rosmalen.
Medvedev served up three double faults in the second set tiebreak and five overall, but there were no such errors from Opelka, who slammed down 24 aces.
The giant Opelka will contest a grass-court semi-final for the second time in his career and faces Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal or Belgium's Zizou Bergs on Saturday for a spot in the final.
French second seed Ugo Humbert will play Canadian Gabriel Diallo in the other semi.
Diallo knocked out third seed Karen Khachanov 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 while the Frenchman eliminated Portuguese Nuno Borges, seeded seventh, 6-1 6-4.
German youngster Justin Engel, who's enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough event in the Stuttgart Open, has finally had his adventures ended by Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The 17-year-old became the youngest man in 40 years - since Boris Becker won at Wimbledon - to reach the quarter-finals of an ATP grass-court event but he proved no match for Auger-Aliassime in a 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 defeat.
Engel had claimed his first professional victory on grass earlier this week when he beat Australian James Duckworth, following it up with an upset win over US seventh seed Alex Michelsen, but beating the experienced Canadian proved to be a step too far for the teenager in Friday's quarter-finals.
"His serve was so incredibly good today that I felt pressure in my own service games," Engel said.
"But it was great fun playing in front of this crowd again. I can't wait to play here again next year."
Top seed and home favourite Alexander Zverev beat Brandon Nakashima 7-5 6-4 to advance to the semi-finals while Americans Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton also reached the last four.
Zverev is seeking his first grasscourt title and was involved in a tight opening set which was tied at 5-5 when the German switched gears in the final two games to clinch it.
But Zverev was far more dominant against his American opponent in the second set as he finished the match with 31 winners in a contest that lasted 90 minutes.
He will play third seed Shelton next after the American, who was virtually unstoppable on his first serve, beat Jiri Lehecka 6-4 6-4, firing down 18 aces.
Shelton was so dominant in the second set that he did not lose a single point on serve while he won 100 per cent of his first-serve points in the match, with victory ensuring he will break into the top 10 for the first time in his career.
Marton Fucsovics had beaten Fritz in straight sets in Stuttgart two years ago but this time the American, who has yet to drop a set at the tournament, came out on top in a dominant 6-3 6-4 victory.
In the other pre-Wimbledon grass-court event going on in the Netherlands, American lucky loser Reilly Opelka put up an intense battle to stun top seed Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5) and reach the semi-finals in Rosmalen.
Medvedev served up three double faults in the second set tiebreak and five overall, but there were no such errors from Opelka, who slammed down 24 aces.
The giant Opelka will contest a grass-court semi-final for the second time in his career and faces Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal or Belgium's Zizou Bergs on Saturday for a spot in the final.
French second seed Ugo Humbert will play Canadian Gabriel Diallo in the other semi.
Diallo knocked out third seed Karen Khachanov 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 while the Frenchman eliminated Portuguese Nuno Borges, seeded seventh, 6-1 6-4.
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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Piastri 'deserved' Belgian Grand Prix victory: Norris
Oscar Piastri has been hailed by title rival Lando Norris after taking a major step towards a first world championship title by defying wet conditions to win a rain-delayed Belgian Grand Prix. Heading home McLaren teammate Norris, who had started on pole, means Australian driver Piastri's lead has jumped from nine to 16 points. It also halted his English rival's gathering momentum - Norris had won the previous two races to slash Piastri's overall lead to single figures. Norris, who was passed by Piastri on the first racing lap at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday, said: "Shoulda, woulda, coulda. Oscar deserved it." "Oscar just did a good job. Nothing more to say. Committed a bit more through Eau Rouge, and had the slipstream and got the run. "So nothing to complain of. He did a better job in the beginning, and that was it. Nothing more I could do after that point. I would love to be up top, but Oscar deserved it today." The decisive moment of the afternoon came moments after the race finally got underway. Piastri charged through the spray to slipstream Norris through the daunting Eau Rouge and scythed past on the uphill straight, with his overtaken teammate complaining of a possible battery issue. Piastri then proceeded largely untroubled as he powered on to finish 3.415 seconds clear of his arch-rival. Norris reduced Piastri's lead toward the end of the race but the Australian held on with worn tires with his teammate unable to get close enough to challenge. "I knew Lap 1 (after the safety car) would probably be my best chance of winning the race. I got a good exit out of Turn 1, lifted as little as I dared and yeah, we had it mostly under control," Piastri said after his eighth Formula One career win and sixth of this season. Piastri had been disappointed to qualify second for the race behind Norris, but it "turns out starting second at Spa is not so bad after all," he said. The world title initiative has suddenly swung back to Piastri, who heads to Hungary for next Sunday's grand prix having won his first race in Budapest last season. Norris added: "I'll review my things but still happy for the team, another 1-2 and our first 1-2 here for many, many years." The race had been red-flagged after an initial formation lap due to standing water and heavy spray affecting visibility. That resulted in a delay of an hour and 20 minutes as officials waited for conditions at the notoriously weather-prone circuit to improve. Charles Leclerc was a distant third for Ferrari as dominant champions McLaren celebrated their sixth one-two finish in 13 races and the third in a row. Titleholder Max Verstappen, in his first full race under a new Red Bull chief following the departure of Christian Horner, finished fourth. George Russell, of Mercedes, who crossed the line first in Spa last year but was disqualified due to his car being underweight, was fifth this time and Williams' Alex Albon came home sixth. With agencies Oscar Piastri has been hailed by title rival Lando Norris after taking a major step towards a first world championship title by defying wet conditions to win a rain-delayed Belgian Grand Prix. Heading home McLaren teammate Norris, who had started on pole, means Australian driver Piastri's lead has jumped from nine to 16 points. It also halted his English rival's gathering momentum - Norris had won the previous two races to slash Piastri's overall lead to single figures. Norris, who was passed by Piastri on the first racing lap at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday, said: "Shoulda, woulda, coulda. Oscar deserved it." "Oscar just did a good job. Nothing more to say. Committed a bit more through Eau Rouge, and had the slipstream and got the run. "So nothing to complain of. He did a better job in the beginning, and that was it. Nothing more I could do after that point. I would love to be up top, but Oscar deserved it today." The decisive moment of the afternoon came moments after the race finally got underway. Piastri charged through the spray to slipstream Norris through the daunting Eau Rouge and scythed past on the uphill straight, with his overtaken teammate complaining of a possible battery issue. Piastri then proceeded largely untroubled as he powered on to finish 3.415 seconds clear of his arch-rival. Norris reduced Piastri's lead toward the end of the race but the Australian held on with worn tires with his teammate unable to get close enough to challenge. "I knew Lap 1 (after the safety car) would probably be my best chance of winning the race. I got a good exit out of Turn 1, lifted as little as I dared and yeah, we had it mostly under control," Piastri said after his eighth Formula One career win and sixth of this season. Piastri had been disappointed to qualify second for the race behind Norris, but it "turns out starting second at Spa is not so bad after all," he said. The world title initiative has suddenly swung back to Piastri, who heads to Hungary for next Sunday's grand prix having won his first race in Budapest last season. Norris added: "I'll review my things but still happy for the team, another 1-2 and our first 1-2 here for many, many years." The race had been red-flagged after an initial formation lap due to standing water and heavy spray affecting visibility. That resulted in a delay of an hour and 20 minutes as officials waited for conditions at the notoriously weather-prone circuit to improve. Charles Leclerc was a distant third for Ferrari as dominant champions McLaren celebrated their sixth one-two finish in 13 races and the third in a row. Titleholder Max Verstappen, in his first full race under a new Red Bull chief following the departure of Christian Horner, finished fourth. George Russell, of Mercedes, who crossed the line first in Spa last year but was disqualified due to his car being underweight, was fifth this time and Williams' Alex Albon came home sixth. With agencies Oscar Piastri has been hailed by title rival Lando Norris after taking a major step towards a first world championship title by defying wet conditions to win a rain-delayed Belgian Grand Prix. Heading home McLaren teammate Norris, who had started on pole, means Australian driver Piastri's lead has jumped from nine to 16 points. It also halted his English rival's gathering momentum - Norris had won the previous two races to slash Piastri's overall lead to single figures. Norris, who was passed by Piastri on the first racing lap at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday, said: "Shoulda, woulda, coulda. Oscar deserved it." "Oscar just did a good job. Nothing more to say. Committed a bit more through Eau Rouge, and had the slipstream and got the run. "So nothing to complain of. He did a better job in the beginning, and that was it. Nothing more I could do after that point. I would love to be up top, but Oscar deserved it today." The decisive moment of the afternoon came moments after the race finally got underway. Piastri charged through the spray to slipstream Norris through the daunting Eau Rouge and scythed past on the uphill straight, with his overtaken teammate complaining of a possible battery issue. Piastri then proceeded largely untroubled as he powered on to finish 3.415 seconds clear of his arch-rival. Norris reduced Piastri's lead toward the end of the race but the Australian held on with worn tires with his teammate unable to get close enough to challenge. "I knew Lap 1 (after the safety car) would probably be my best chance of winning the race. I got a good exit out of Turn 1, lifted as little as I dared and yeah, we had it mostly under control," Piastri said after his eighth Formula One career win and sixth of this season. Piastri had been disappointed to qualify second for the race behind Norris, but it "turns out starting second at Spa is not so bad after all," he said. The world title initiative has suddenly swung back to Piastri, who heads to Hungary for next Sunday's grand prix having won his first race in Budapest last season. Norris added: "I'll review my things but still happy for the team, another 1-2 and our first 1-2 here for many, many years." The race had been red-flagged after an initial formation lap due to standing water and heavy spray affecting visibility. That resulted in a delay of an hour and 20 minutes as officials waited for conditions at the notoriously weather-prone circuit to improve. Charles Leclerc was a distant third for Ferrari as dominant champions McLaren celebrated their sixth one-two finish in 13 races and the third in a row. Titleholder Max Verstappen, in his first full race under a new Red Bull chief following the departure of Christian Horner, finished fourth. George Russell, of Mercedes, who crossed the line first in Spa last year but was disqualified due to his car being underweight, was fifth this time and Williams' Alex Albon came home sixth. With agencies Oscar Piastri has been hailed by title rival Lando Norris after taking a major step towards a first world championship title by defying wet conditions to win a rain-delayed Belgian Grand Prix. Heading home McLaren teammate Norris, who had started on pole, means Australian driver Piastri's lead has jumped from nine to 16 points. It also halted his English rival's gathering momentum - Norris had won the previous two races to slash Piastri's overall lead to single figures. Norris, who was passed by Piastri on the first racing lap at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday, said: "Shoulda, woulda, coulda. Oscar deserved it." "Oscar just did a good job. Nothing more to say. Committed a bit more through Eau Rouge, and had the slipstream and got the run. "So nothing to complain of. He did a better job in the beginning, and that was it. Nothing more I could do after that point. I would love to be up top, but Oscar deserved it today." The decisive moment of the afternoon came moments after the race finally got underway. Piastri charged through the spray to slipstream Norris through the daunting Eau Rouge and scythed past on the uphill straight, with his overtaken teammate complaining of a possible battery issue. Piastri then proceeded largely untroubled as he powered on to finish 3.415 seconds clear of his arch-rival. Norris reduced Piastri's lead toward the end of the race but the Australian held on with worn tires with his teammate unable to get close enough to challenge. "I knew Lap 1 (after the safety car) would probably be my best chance of winning the race. I got a good exit out of Turn 1, lifted as little as I dared and yeah, we had it mostly under control," Piastri said after his eighth Formula One career win and sixth of this season. Piastri had been disappointed to qualify second for the race behind Norris, but it "turns out starting second at Spa is not so bad after all," he said. The world title initiative has suddenly swung back to Piastri, who heads to Hungary for next Sunday's grand prix having won his first race in Budapest last season. Norris added: "I'll review my things but still happy for the team, another 1-2 and our first 1-2 here for many, many years." The race had been red-flagged after an initial formation lap due to standing water and heavy spray affecting visibility. That resulted in a delay of an hour and 20 minutes as officials waited for conditions at the notoriously weather-prone circuit to improve. Charles Leclerc was a distant third for Ferrari as dominant champions McLaren celebrated their sixth one-two finish in 13 races and the third in a row. Titleholder Max Verstappen, in his first full race under a new Red Bull chief following the departure of Christian Horner, finished fourth. George Russell, of Mercedes, who crossed the line first in Spa last year but was disqualified due to his car being underweight, was fifth this time and Williams' Alex Albon came home sixth. With agencies
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Tennis world loses its mind over Alex de Minaur as Aussie's beautiful act for rival melts hearts
Aussie Alex de Minaur has melted hearts with an incredible act of sportsmanship after pulling off a comeback for the ages to claim the Washington Open title. The 26-year-old secured his 10th ATP Tour title in stunning fashion, saving three championship points on his way to a 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) victory over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. De Minaur, who defeated Corentin Moutet in the semi-final and moved up to eighth in the world with Monday's win, but looked to be in a spot of bother, 5-2 down in the third set. He was able to steady but then found himself staring down the barrel of three championship points late in the set, only to break from 30-0 down at 5-4 and force a tie-break. The Aussie incredibly saved his third match point with an impeccable lob that caught the line, giving the Australian enough time to recover and win the point. He then held his nerve to take out the match in a third set tie breaker. It wasn't the first time the Aussie had to save match points in Washington either, saving four against Andrey Rublev earlier in the tournament. So unsurprisingly, in the moment he clinched the match, the Aussie was overcome with emotion, letting out a primal scream and launching the ball into the crowd. He then shook hands at the net with Davidovich Fokina. But in an incredible act of sportsmanship, the Aussie quickly halted his celebrations after he saw his distraught rival slump onto his chair in tears. You can watch the classy moment in the video below De Minaur rushed over to him, sat next to him and put his arm around him, offering words of encouragement. And to start off his speech to the crowd after being crowned champion, de Minaur heaped praise on his rival. 'I want to start with Alejandro, as I told you and your team, you're way too good not to have one of these,' de Minaur said after the match. 'It's coming for sure. You deserved it today. I just got lucky. You are a hell of a competitor and player. No one on the tour wants to play you. 'This is not the end. It's only going up for you.' While Davidovich Fokina paid credit to de Minaur, admitting the Australian 'deserved the win'. 'He was fighting every f***ing ball,' he added. But it was the beautiful moment between the pair that saw the tennis world fall in love with de Minaur even more. 'What an incredible player and even more incredible man, such a great sport,' one fan wrote about de Minaur's act of kindness towards his rival. 'Demon is a class act,' another said. While a third commented: 'Not just a great tennis player but a great guy as well'.
The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
Perfect 10: Demon recovers from brink of defeat to win title
When the going gets tough, Alex de Minaur gets tougher. The Australian became a 10-time champion on the ATP Tour on Monday (AEST), recovering from 5-2 down in the final set of the Washington Open final to outlast childhood rival Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) in another performance packed with mental resilience. De Minaur saved three separate championship points in a nerve-jangling, 14-minute service game at 4-5, including a defensive backhand lob that barely touched the sideline on the third of them. He never trailed in the tie-break – but twice handed back mini-break leads – before sealing victory after three hours and two minutes of tense and absorbing tennis that owed to repeatedly brave shot-making in the toughest moments. Loading De Minaur is now only one career title behind Australian greats Patrick Rafter and Mark Philippoussis. He is the fifth Australian to win in Washington, with Nick Kyrgios the most recent in 2019 and 2022. 'I don't know [how I did that]. It's something about this court. I did it in 2018 against [Andrey] Rublev, and honestly, I just kind of knew I could do it,' de Minaur said. 'I just backed myself and told myself to commit, no matter what, and if I lost this match, it was going to be on my terms, and today went my way. I've had a couple of brutal ones not go my way, so I'm glad this one [did]. 'I'm very happy with where I am at the moment, [and] how I'm dealing with things on and off the court. I had the mindset that even if today didn't go my way, it was a very positive week, so I was proud of my efforts, no matter what, but, geez, it feels good to hold my 10th title.'
