Felix Auger Aliassime 'relieved' to edge five-set battle with Dominic Thiem – 'I didn’t want to fail mentally'

Felix Auger Aliassime admitted he "didn’t want to fail mentally" as his Australian Open first round tie with Dominic Thiem went the distance, lasting four hours and 59 minutes. The 23-year-old eventually edged the gruelling battle to reach the second round and spoke about how relieved he was to be through. "A lot of relief. It’s crazy, you go through all the emotions," he said.

Felix Auger Aliassime went the distance and then some with Dominic Thiem in their Australian Open first round clash, before he eventually wrapped up a 6-3 7-5 6-7(5) 5-7 6-3 victory.

The mammoth encounter lasted four hours and 59 minutes, the longest match of Auger Aliassime's career - and one which required a lot of mental strength from the Canadian.

The 27th seed took control of the early stages and, despite a "crazy" tweener from Thiem, led the Austrian by two sets after a relatively comfortable start.

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At one stage, the 23-year-old was just two points away from a straight-set victory but Thiem fought back to force a third-set tie-break, which he nicked to stay in the contest.

An interesting fourth set - which was briefly interrupted by a seagull - went to Thiem as the pair required a decider to settle matters.

Auger Aliassime earned two match points before he was penalised with a time violation warning, but shook it off to wrap up the win on the first attempt.

'I didn't want to have any regrets' - Auger-Aliassime 'really happy' to win Thiem epic

Video credit: TNT Sports

Speaking after the match, Auger Aliassime said there was “a lot of relief" to finally get the job done.

“It’s crazy, these matches, you go through all the emotions,” he said on court. “It was a great level, I started well and then it’s the sport. Sometimes it sucks.

“You’re trying your best, he played well, served well, and it was a struggle for me.

“In the end, I didn’t want to fail mentally. I didn’t want to disappoint myself with my effort or leave the court with any regrets.

“Even if it was frustrating, I needed to stay tough and strong, and I’m happy I did because now I’m really happy.”

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Video credit: TNT Sports

On how he managed to see out victory after his mid-match blip, he added: “In all honestly, [I wasn’t thinking] a lot of good things.

“We’re good actors, [or] we try to be good actors, trying to stay calm. We try to show a strong demeanour and body language.

“Leaving the court after the third set, I had to regroup. I was really seeing myself win that third set, I was playing a great tie-break, 5-2, and then two poor points in a row turned the match around just like that, but that’s tennis.”

Auger Aliassime will face French qualifier Hugo Grenier in the next round as he continues his bid for a maiden Grand Slam.

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