ATP Tour

Auger-Aliassime, new World No. 4, opens 's-Hertogenbosch title bid

Felix Auger-Aliassime wasted little time finding his rhythm upon return to grass-court action on Thursday at the Libema Open.

Just eight days after his quarter-final loss to Flavio Cobolli at Roland Garros, the top seed in ‘s-Hertogenbosch got back to winning ways with a composed 6-3, 6-4 victory against Marton Fucsovics. The 25-year-old Canadian is now into his sixth tour-level quarter-final of the 2026 season and will next face Kamil Majchrzak.

“We don’t get to play many tournaments on grass,” Auger-Aliassime said. “It’s a surface I like. I’ve always felt good on the surface. It’s nice to be back on grass, but in the first match, you’re not sure what to expect. You have to be careful how you move around. There’s a lot of adjustments, but we’re very focused and we try to adjust as well as possible.”

Auger-Aliassime climbed to a career-high No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings on Monday and is assured of remaining there through the conclusion of the Dutch grass-court event. Following his 73-minute win over Fucsovics, the Canadian was asked about the achievement and whether there had been a turning point behind his rise.

“My life hasn’t changed,” Auger-Aliassime responded with a smile. “I have a great family and great people around me all year. It’s a progression. There’s three guys ahead of me now, and a lot of guys below me that are very good and deserve to be in this position. You have to fight hard. It’s like a rent you have to pay every month: You have to show up on the court.”

Majchrzak booked his place in the quarter-finals with a dominant 6-0, 6-3 win over Australian qualifier James McCabe, while Zhang Zhizhen and Adrian Mannarino also advanced on Thursday.

Zhang upset home favourite and 2023 champion Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(5), 6-4 to reach his first tour-level quarter-final since February last year. There, the Chinese star will take on Mannarino, who defeated fourth seed Arthur Rinderknech 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-3. Mannarino lifted the title in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in 2019.

Earlier in the day, Benjamin Bonzi secured a quarter-final clash with second seed Alex de Minaur. The French qualifier outlasted countryman and two-time semi-finalist Ugo Humbert 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.