World no. 29 Felix Auger-Aliassime reached the quarter-final in Adelaide. The 5th seed defeated Taylor Fritz at the United Cup and carried that boost to the first tournament of the season. Felix faced Arthur Cazauxin the second round and prevailed 1-6, 6-4, 7-5.
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The Canadian needed two hours and 33 minutes to emerge at the top, overcoming a slow start and prevailing in the closing stages of the duel. The Frenchman wasted a break chance in the 11th game of the decider and lost serve in the next one to hit the exit door.
Arthur claimed one point more than Felix thanks to a dominant display in the opener. Auger-Aliassime fired 12 aces and denied four of six break points. He created nine break points and converted two in sets two and three.
World no. 80 saved a break point in the first game of the duel and took charge. Cazaux welcomed the rival's mistake in the fourth game, earning a break at love and opening a 3-1 advantage. The Frenchman cemented it after a deuce in the next one.
Struggling behind the initial shot, Felix experienced another setback at 1-4. The 5th seed sent a forehand wide, getting broken at 15 and falling further behind. Arthur served for the opener at 5-1 and held at 15, wrapping up the opener in 33 minutes.
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The Frenchman received a medical timeout on his lower back ahead of the second set but continued without issues. Auger-Aliassime served much better than in the opener, providing five comfortable holds and challenging his rival to follow that pace.
Cazaux stayed in touch and held after a deuce in game eight for 4-4 and more drama. The Frenchman served to stay in the set at 4-5 and offered his rival three set points after a double fault. Arthur sprayed a backhand error, allowing Felix to take the set 6-4 and introduce a decider.
The lower-ranked player faced the ultimate challenge in the second game. Arthur defended five break points and created a break chance at 2-2. The Canadian denied it with a powerful serve and held to remain on the positive side.
They served well in the upcoming games, and Cazaux created a break point in game 11 that could have sent him closer to the top. Felix saved it with a service winner and held for 6-5. The 5th seed gained a boost and made a push on the return in the next one.
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Auger-Aliassime welcomed the rival's wild forehand in the 12th game and earned two match points. He converted the second after a lucky net cord, providing a pivotal break and moving into the last eight.
Denis Shapovalov failed to join his compatriot in the quarter-final. He fell to Marcos Giron 7-5, 6-2 in an hour and 18 minutes, continuing with a poor form at the start of the year. The Canadian led 3-0 in the opener before dropping serve three times.
Marcos served well in the second set and rattled off five games to sail into the next round.
