Auger-Aliassime channels pressure into Brussels final
In a semifinal thick with home-crowd fervor, Felix Auger-Aliassime turned Belgian cheers into fuel for his game, reaching another ATP final and tightening his grip on a Nitto ATP Finals berth.
In the echoing arena of Brussels, Felix Auger-Aliassime advanced to his fourth ATP Tour final of the season at the BNP Paribas Fortis European Open, where he ended the run of Belgian wild card Raphael Collignon in a 7-6(2), 6-4 victory that blended aggression with unflinching poise. The Canadian struck boldly from both wings, his crosscourt forehands silencing the partisan support as he notched his 40th tour-level win of 2025. This indoor hard-court battle, where every rally hummed with intensity, underscored his drive to recapture the form that defined his 2022 breakthrough.
Absorbing home energy for tactical edge
Auger-Aliassime’s approach leaned on deep, penetrating groundstrokes that pinned Collignon behind the baseline, forcing hurried replies on the quick surface. He varied his patterns with inside-out backhands to open the court, converting a crucial second-set break after a gritty hold that tested his resolve amid the crowd’s swell. The first-set tiebreak highlighted his reset ability, as a down-the-line pass sealed the 7-2 edge and shifted momentum decisively.
Collignon‘s underspin defenses and occasional flat strikes kept the pressure on, but the Canadian’s one–two combinations—serve followed by aggressive returns—wore down the resistance over extended exchanges. His serve held firm, facing few break chances, a testament to footwork that absorbed the noise and converted emotional weight into sharper focus.
“I had a great opponent in front of me and he was inspired by playing at home,” Auger-Aliassime said. “I knew it could be the toughest challenge of the week so far. He has been playing great for the past few weeks and months. It was really fun to play, high intensity. It was a pleasure to be a part of that and this week and we have one more to go tomorrow.”
Chasing Turin through season’s grind
At 25, Auger-Aliassime eyes a return to the Nitto ATP Finals, building on his 2022 haul of 60 victories that first took him there. He sits ninth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin with 3,070 points, trailing eighth-placed Lorenzo Musetti by 415; the Italian clings to the final spot, making each point a stake in his resurgence. This Brussels run, on courts that mirror Turin’s speed, sharpens his serve-return duels and boosts confidence for the year-end push.
The Canadian’s aggressive baseline game has evolved this season, with fewer errors on indoor hard and a knack for exploiting angles in high-pressure spots. His 40 wins reflect resilience amid a campaign of tight margins, positioning him for an eighth tour title and a third of 2025 that could vault him upward in the rankings chase.
Lehecka sets up resilient final duel
Awaiting him Sunday is Jiri Lehecka, the Czech who reached his second straight Brussels final by outlasting big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6(3), 7-6(7) in one hour and 32 minutes. Lehecka, into his sixth tour-level final and third this year, locked in on his service games, waiting patiently for openings against a delivery that pounded aces relentlessly. At 23, with 15 wins in his last 16 against players outside the Top 20, he carries momentum from hard-court titles in Adelaide and Brisbane.
The matchup promises a clash of focused minds, where Auger-Aliassime’s crosscourt firepower meets Lehecka’s counterpunching returns and booming serve. Both have navigated seasons of building pressure, turning semifinal tension into title fuel; for the Canadian, victory here means not just hardware but a psychological leap toward Turin, while Lehecka aims to extend his streak on a surface that rewards precision under the lights.
“It is always tough to prepare for these kinds of matches,” Lehecka said when asked about playing Mpetshi Perricard. “You have to concentrate 100 per cent each point as you don’t know what is coming. He has such a good serve. For me, the most important thing was to stay focused on my service games and wait for the chances.”
As the final looms, their tactical patience and mental grit will collide, with the winner emerging not just as champion but as a stronger contender in the tightening race to year’s end.
