Google News Felix Auger-Aliassime opens on overcoming 'pretty negative thoughts' in Halle opener
by DZEVAD MESIC
Fourth-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime put himself in a position to play a third set versus Marcos Giron but he was glad that he was able to close out the match and avoid a shock Halle exit. On Tuesday, Auger-Aliassime kicked off his Halle campaign by beating 60th-ranked Giron 6-3 5-7 6-3.
Auger-Aliassime made a strong start to the match, breaking Giron twice to easily win the first set. In the second set, Auger-Aliassime was twice up by a break but somehow blew two breaks as Giron forced a decider. Fortunately for Auger-Aliassime, he was able to recollect as he broke Giron in the sixth game of the third set and held on to his serve the rest of the match to complete a three-set win.
“I just lost my focus a little bit,” Auger-Aliassime said, per the ATP website. “I think his belief came back a little bit in the second, he started hitting some good shots and serving much better. Things got a little bit tricky and difficult for me, so at the end it’s great that I was able to find a way to win”.
Auger-Aliassime: I had negative thoughts late in the second set
“I had pretty negative thoughts at the end of that second set," said Auger-Aliassime. "To be honest I don’t usually lose these types of sets, when I break twice.
It’s not something usual for me on this surface especially. I just had to change my thoughts, trick my mind a little bit and think, OK, there is a third set to play, I haven’t lost yet and I am still on the court, so let’s try to think positive”.
After losing the second set, Auger-Aliassime faced three consecutive break points in the first game of the third set. He was able to save those break points and eventually get the job done in three sets. Auger-Aliassime plays Mackenzie McDonald next.