“Tough to Beat”: Felix Auger Aliassime Picks Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer Favorites at Wimbledon Championships 2021

20-year-old Felix Auger-Aliassime caused the biggest upset in the Wimbledon Round of 16 yesterday. The #16 seed defeated #4 seed Alexander Zverev in an epic five-set thriller 6-4, 7-6 (8-6), 3-6, 3-6, 6-4.

Although the Canadian reached the quarterfinals for the very first time in the grass-court Grand Slam, he believes the veterans in the draw are favorites to win the title.

Felix Auger Aliassime believes experience makes Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer favorites

Despite winning the first two sets in his match with Zverev, the Canadian dropped the next two sets to set up a fifth-set showdown. However, he won that set in emphatic fashion to set up a quarterfinal with #7 seed Matteo Berrettini.

During the post-match press conference, Auger Aliassime explained why there are five first-time participants in the quarterfinals this year. He said, “Grass is always a little different from other surfaces, I would say. We don?t get to play a lot of matches in the year on grass… I feel like players that feel good on the surface can have a breakthrough sometimes.”

However, he believes Djokovic and Federer are still favorites to win the tournament due to the experience they carry.?“But also, you have the big champions Novak and Roger, the most experienced that are still the favorites for the title that are gonna be tough to beat because they have the experience of winning it so many times,”?said the 20-year-old.

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The Canadian is glad to be a part of new faces in the quarterfinals

Although the Canadian marked Djokovic and Federer as favorites, he could still run deep in the tournament. While he plays fellow first-time quarterfinalist Berrettini, he believes the absence of Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem at this stage gives an opportunity to players like him to make an impression.

He said,?“I think also with Rafa and Domi missing as well, sometimes it can open up a draw a little bit for some players. As players on the tour, you try to take every chance you can get. Of course, you don?t always do, but you fight for it. And it?s good to see some new faces in the quarter-finals at least. I?m happy to be a part of it.”

The 16th seed will take on Berrettini in the quarterfinals tomorrow, with a potential semifinal against Federer for the winner.

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