It took Felix Auger-Aliassime a set to take the lead, but the 25-year-old Canadian won the all-Montreal men’s singles match at the Indian Wells Open on Sunday night.
Ninth-seeded Auger-Aliassime defeated fellow Canadian Gabriel Diallo 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-3 in a match that lasted nearly two and a half hours.
The 24-year-old Diallo ended up with more aces (11-9) and no double faults compared to Auger-Aliassime’s five. But he had 42 unforced errors to Auger-Aliassime’s 32.
Auger-Aliassime finished with 28 winners, saved 3 of 4 break points and won 4 of 7 break points. Diallo hit 20 winners, won 1 of 4 break points and saved 3 of 7 break points.
Auger-Aliassime scored 10 points in 13 service games and 14 in 15 service games, while Diallo only scored 7 of 15 net points and 11 in 15 service games.
Auger-Aliassime will face France’s Arthur Fels in the round of 16 on Tuesday.
