'Not always beautiful tennis,' but Felix sets Gstaad QF with Berrettini

Third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime is up and running at the EFG Swiss Open Gstaad, where on Thursday the Canadian defeated 2017 finalist Yannick Hanfmann 7-6(6), 6-2.

Auger-Aliassime is into his fourth quarter-final of the season, three of which have come on clay, including a runner-up finish in Madrid. The World No. 18 in the PIF ATP Rankings is seeking his maiden title on that surface.

A slow start was not enough to deter the 23-year-old, who raised his level after erasing three set points in the opening set. Auger-Aliassime saved a set point on serve at 4-5 and again at 5-6 before gaining the advantage in the first-set tie-break, during which he trailed 1/4 and won three consecutive points from 5/6.

"It was a tough start from me. With the conditions, the wind, the altitude. I was glad I was able to come back in the first set, that was key," Auger-Aliassime said. "It was not always beautiful tennis. Sometimes big mistakes on both sides, but in the end to get that one was crucial for me today.

"I started serving better after my first game. Returning also, finding the right position. I was testing things out in the first set... It was good to come back. It was good to find solutions."

Came out of the dust with a win 🙌🏽🇨🇭
Another one up tomorrow 💪🏽

📸: @SwissOpenGstaad pic.twitter.com/OTMl7Rd5Oy

— Félix AugerAliassime (@felixtennis) July 18, 2024

Up next for the five-time tour-level titlist is sixth seed and 2018 champion Matteo Berrettini, who raced past Daniel Elahi Galan 6-4, 6-2. The Italian leads Auger-Aliassime 4-2 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, with Friday's encounter marking their first match on clay.

Brazilian qualifier Gustavo Heide earned his first Top 50 victory by upsetting second seed Ugo Humbert 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-3. Heide, 22, is into his first tour-level quarter-final and will next face fellow qualifier Quentin Halys, who overcame Lukas Klein 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-4.