Quebec’s Felix Auger-Aliassime wins consecutive games for the first time since March

Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Sebastian Ofner 6-4, 6-1 to reach the quarterfinals of the Japan Open on Wednesday, where he won consecutive games for the first time since March.

The 23-year-old Canadian, who had not won consecutive games since Indian Wells, recovered from a breakdown in a close first set before pulling ahead in the second set to win the final six games.

“I need results like this,” said Auger-Aliassime after confirming his victory over Aleksander Vukic in the first round. “I believe in my game and I believe in myself that I have what it takes to win at this level. I’ve done it before, but it’s about doing it and having a lot of confidence and a positive attitude. I’m glad that my level transferred to the playground after a few months.

Auger-Aliassime next plays American qualifier Marcos Giron, who defeated eighth seed Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-4.

Fifth seed Tommy Paul defeated fellow American Mackenzie McDonald 6-4, 6-2. Twelfth-seeded Paul will play Ben Shelton, who defeated Jordan Thompson 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3.

Additionally, Shanghai Masters winner Hubert Hurkacz lost his first-round match against No. 57 seed Zhang Zhizhen 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4).

Zhang fired 10 aces and broke serve three times to avenge his loss to 11th-ranked Hurkacz last week in Shanghai.

JIANGXI OPEN

Third seed Marie Bouzkova reached the quarterfinals of the Jiangxi Open in China by defeating Amina Anshba 7-5, 6-0.

Nao Hibino of Japan followed her victory over top seed Beatriz Haddad-Maia with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Kimberly Birrell in the first round. The 93rd-ranked Hibino will face Diana Shnaider in the quarterfinals on Friday after the Russian advanced when Vera Zvonareva withdrew through illness, trailing 6-3, 0-1.

Eighth seed Sara Sorribes Tormo plays Camila Osorio in a late match.

This Associated Press report was first published Oct. 18, 2023.