“Best Partner”: Felix Auger-Aliassime Lauds Hubert Hurkacz After Title Win at Rolex Paris Masters 2020

Rising Canadian tennis star Felix Auger-Aliassime has heaped praise on his Polish doubles partner Hubert Hurkacz after winning his first ATP title with him.

Speaking courtside after clinching the doubles crown at Rolex Paris Masters on Sunday, Auger-Aliassime called the Pole his “best partner”.

The pair struck gold in only their second tournament as doubles partners, beating World No.2 Bruno Soares of Brazil and Mate Pavic of Croatia 6-7(3), 7-6(7), 10-8.

From unseeded pair to maiden ATP title win for Felix Auger-Aliassime and Hubert Hurkacz

Entering the Bercy Arena as an unseeded pair, Auger-Aliassime and Hurkacz weren’t overawed by their higher-ranked opponents and dished out clinical performances to win their maiden doubles title.

Asked what makes them such a good pair in a courtside interview, Auger-Aliassime said, “I enjoy my time with him. I have to say Hubert is a really nice person.”

“He has a really good heart and gives everything out there. He has fun and is always smiling. So it’s a joy (to be partnering Hurkacz in doubles),” Auger-Aliassime said.

Thrilled with his maiden doubles title win, the Canadian, who split the prize money of $142,129 with his Polish partner, said, “Honestly, this is all unexpected.”

Read More: “Something is Working Well”: Daniil Medvedev Reflects on Rolex Paris Masters 2020 Success

The pair showed maturity far beyond their years to seize key moments in the title clash. 

They saved as many as five match points in the second set to take the tie to a deciding set and eventually clinch their first title.

Pair upset World Numbers 1,2 and 4 to win maiden ATP title

Their road to the final wasn’t a smooth one either as they came through a tricky three-setter against Pole Lukasz Kubot and Brazilian Marcelo Melo to set up the title clash against the No.2 pair.

The final, which spanned 1 hour and 52 minutes, marked the fourth straight match the pair won through a tie-breaker.

Their title-run included an upset win over the Number 1 pair of Colombian Robert Farah and Argentine Horacio Zeballos, World No.7 Australian duo of John Peers and Michael Venus and the No.4 pair of Kubot and Melo.

Also an accomplished singles player, Auger-Aliassime is currently placed 21st in the ATP rankings.

He has already made six final appearances in calendar ATP events.