Ernests Gulbis Stuns Felix Auger-Aliassime in the First Round of Australian Open 2020
Follow Us
Qualifier Ernests Gulbis battled past the No.20 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-5, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 to reach the second round of the Australian Open 2020 on Tuesday. The Canadian has failed to win a single match at the hardcourt slams – Australian Open and US Open.
Gulbis hit a total of 39 winners in the course of four sets, winning 79 percent of first serves with 11 aces. On the other hand, Felix hit 42 unforced errors against only 31 winners.
Ernests Gulbis grabbed the first set
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
With no troubles on either of the service games, the set saw no break chances till the ninth game. It was the qualifier Gulbis, who blinked first as Felix Auger-Aliassime got the first break of the set.
Trending
‘RIP’ – Heartbroken Brother of John McEnroe Mourns ESPN Legend’s Tragic Death Who Last Tweeted About Coco Gauff
April 21, 2024 02:43 PM EDT
Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian Gushes Over Her ‘Little Pink’ Attire as Part of Nike’s Latest Endeavor
April 23, 2024 05:55 PM EDT
‘Have Him F**King Walk Out with Rafa’- Andy Roddick Imagines Emotional Scenario That Brings Roger Federer Together with His Beloved Rival
April 24, 2024 12:02 PM EDT
‘Got Them a $92,000 Motor Home’- Venus and Serena Williams’ Childhood Coach Rick Macci Reveals Lavish Money Spent Based on ‘King’ Richard’s Confidence
February 14, 2023 09:40 PM EST
Mutua Madrid Open: Heart-Broken Taylor Townsend Makes Shattering Admission About Missing Son’s Martial Arts Performance
April 23, 2024 04:07 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest Tennis stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
However, the Canadian failed to serve out the set at 5-4 as Gulbis earned the break back. Auger-Aliassime was broken once again while he was serving to stay in the set as the Latvian secured the opening set 7-5 after 50 minutes of gruelling tennis.
Felix Auger-Aliassime levelled back in the second set
In a replication of the first set, the 20th seed broke Gulbis in the ninth game before saving 3 breakpoints in the previous game and come back from 0-40 down to hold a crucial serve game.
The 31-year-old looked to break Felix as he went up 40-0 while he serving for the second set. However, the next-gen star once again saved the three break chances and served out the set 6-4 in 48 minutes. The 19-year-old saved a total of six break points in the set.
Gulbis gets the lead after a tight third set
The games with the serve till 6-6 as both the players held their service games to force the set to the tiebreaker. In the tiebreaker, Gulbis changed gears as he was all over the young Canadian.
Gulbis was up 5-1 within a flash, but Felix rallied hard to close the gap at 5-3. However, he failed to stop the attacking Latvian as he clinched a tight third set 7-6(4) in 1 hour and 7 minutes.
Felix Auger-Aliassime lost the match after a clumsy fourth set
Gulbis carried his momentum in the fourth as he broke Felix Auger-Aliassime in the 5th game to get a 3-2 lead on serve before saving three breakpoints in the previous game to hold a crucial service game. Felix held his nerves in the tough moments as he held his serves. However, a focused Gulbis served out the set 6-4 and win the match after 3 hours and 35 minutes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Gull takes flight 🐦
Qualifier Ernests Gulbis returns to the #AusOpen second round for the first time since 2014, upending No. 20 seed Auger-Aliassime 7-5 4-6 7-6(4) 6-4.#AO2020 pic.twitter.com/WIrtscbUW2
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2020
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad