"I was sharp when I needed to" - Auger-Aliassime credits mental strength for difficult victory over Cressy in Dubai

Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime was relieved that he got past awkward opponent Maxime Cressy at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Auger-Aliassime was unable to make an impact in the Cressy serve when they met at Wimbledon last year. The Aviation Tennis Club Dubai is a long way from SW19 and the hard court event witnessed Auger-Aliassime getting one back on the serve and volley expert.

The World No.9 was not happy that he dropped the second set of the match but after that loss at Wimbledon he was relieved to finally break Cressy.

“He has not the most common game. But that is why he is difficult to play. You don’t have to face an opponent like him. He is quite unique and that is why I think he got me last time,” said Auger-Aliassime. “I think I was a bit unprepared and wasn’t able to stay as composed as I did today.

“I was sharp when I needed to. It was unfortunate it had to go three sets, but to be able to break him finally, for the first time since we’ve played together, was good.”

Auger-Aliassime has been in good form of later enjoying a run to the last four in Doha last week before being ousted by eventual champion Danill Medvedev.