Felix Auger-Aliassime has found his rhythm at the Shanghai Masters, attributing his recent success to the tactical wisdom of his new coach Ivan Ljubicic. The Canadian defeated Pablo Carreno Busta with a commanding 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 victory, marking his second consecutive win at the ATP tournament.
Partnership Paying Dividends
The partnership between Auger-Aliassime and Ljubicic, the former world No. 3, appears to be yielding immediate results on the court. The coaching relationship has provided the Canadian with concrete strategic direction during matches, helping him navigate the demands of elite-level competition. Auger-Aliassime’s win over Carreno Busta showcased the effectiveness of their collaborative approach.
The Canadian player revealed the specific instruction that shaped his performance against the Spanish opponent. “Overall, it was to not give him any rhythm,” Auger-Aliassime explained. “I think that was the last message from the coach was just to try to step in, try to dictate the rallies from the first shots, and not get into too many rallies where we just follow the same patterns.”
Fourth-Round Test Awaits
Auger-Aliassime’s breakthrough victory propels him into the fourth round, where he faces a significant challenge against 20th-seed Casper Ruud. The clash represents another opportunity for the Canadian to demonstrate the improvements evident in his recent performance at Shanghai.