Auger-Aliassime advances to European Open semifinals in Brussels

Felix Auger-Aliassime advanced to the semifinals of the European Open on Friday in Brussels, beating American qualifier Eliot Spizzirri 6-2, 7-6(6) at the ING Arena to move into the tournament's final four. The second seed secured the victory in straight sets, closing out the match with his 11th ace during a tightly contested second-set tiebreak.

Auger-Aliassime dominated the first set, breaking Spizzirri twice and not facing a break point. The second set proved more competitive. Spizzirri had two set points while serving at 6-5, but Auger-Aliassime held with an ace to force a tiebreak. In the breaker, Spizzirri led 5-3 before the Canadian won four of the next five points to seal the match. Auger-Aliassime is ranked 13th in the world and entered Brussels as the tournament's second seed. Spizzirri, who moved through qualifying and into the main draw, is ranked outside the top 100.

Spizzirri had reached the main draw after wins in qualifying and advanced to the quarterfinals with straight-set victories over Pedro Martinez and Botic van de Zandschulp. His run to the last eight marked one of his deepest results on the ATP Tour after earlier success primarily on the Challenger...