A second success that comes at the right time, because the picture clears up for the ATP Finals in mid-November.

The 22-year-old Quebecois, who is second seeded at this week’s tournament in Antwerp, Belgium, intends to use his momentum to add a few points to the tally. He has just made up three places in the ATP ranking (10th place), which means he can secure a place among the 10 best in the world.

Hubert Hurckacz, Karen Kachanov and Diego Schwartzman are just some of the threats he will face in the coming days. Sizes that don’t make him blush for a long time.

“I’m very excited to be one of the players with a chance to win or be the players who can claim the title,” the tournament runner-up told the Radio-Canada Sports staffer. In addition, with my victory last week, I obviously come off better than the other times. You have to make the best of it. Physically and mentally I feel in top shape. People know what I want for this tournament, it’s natural to win.

Auger-Aliassime conceded just one set last week, thanks in part to his great play from the service line. A facet of his game that made him smile at the end of the season and which will also be decisive in the closing stages of the season.

I’ll be one of the good servers on the circuit, but by being able to do anything. I got home very well all week. I’ve played against players like JJ Wolf (56th), who served very well, or even in front of Brandon Nakashima (43rd), who served pretty well too. I managed to neutralize them every time and let them play well, so I think the keys were there. I was effective on my serve and able to work on the return.

His first opponent on Thursday in Antwerp will be Frenchman Manuel Guinard, 148th racquet in the world and drafted player.

Targets revised upwards

The ninth will have been the good one, and then the eleventh too. Félix’s first title of his career, won in Rotterdam, Netherlands last February, left a lot to be desired but he did win once lifted a huge weight on the young Canadian’s shoulders.

That was a great joy at the beginning of the year. There, besides the fact that we’re doing it so early in the year, we can say we’re aiming higher this year, but at least it’s done.

What I’m most happy with is the consistency I’ve had in the Main Events, particularly the Masters 1000. I’ve reached four quarterfinals in a row so I’m aware the next step is to go A a little bit further in these tournaments and in the Grand Slam tournaments. It means being ready for the big tournaments and playing my best tennis.

This year’s Australian Open quarterfinalist is currently in 7th place in the season standings, which would allow him one of 10 invitations to the ATP Finals in mid-November. To stay in the top 10, he must do his best at the Paris Masters, the final major tournament of the season, with his 1000 points being awarded to the event’s winner.

It would be a first (yet) for the Quebecer, who believes he deserves his place in the elite.

I will be there with great pleasure

In addition to his individual ambitions, Félix Auger-Aliassime has also confirmed his intention to join the Canadian team for the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, Spain from November 23-27. Canada finished second in their group with a record two wins and one loss. Auger-Aliassime had beaten world number one Carlos Alcaraz in a duel against Spain.

Canada meets Germany in the quarterfinals and the Quebecer wants to take the lion’s share.

Knock on wood I’m physically fine and everything is fine. I had so much fun and meeting the Davis Cup team in Valencia, I really want to finish this adventure. If Dennis [Shapovalov] plays, and the whole team plays with Vasek [Pospisil] form I think we have a real chance to win the title. You really have to go to the end and that’s one of my goals too.

Let’s hope the singles titles are just a starter and Auger-Aliassime and his gang can finally win the Silver Salad Bowl after a losing final against the Spaniards in 2019.