Wishful thinking or a sign: Felix Auger-Aliassime takes inspiration from Jannik Sinner in queasy on-court moment that began incredible run

Felix Auger-Aliassime, in a display of resilience reminiscent of Jannik Sinner's tenacity at the 2023 China Open, faced physical discomfort during his match at the Open Sud de France. The young Canadian, showing signs of a return to the form that propelled him into the top 10 in 2022, has advanced to the semifinals, where he will take on the second seed, Aleksander Bublik.

Despite an inconsistent 2023 that saw him on the brink of falling out of the top 30, the 23-year-old seems determined to reclaim his status among the world's best. The former world No. 6 made a notable run to the third round of the Australian Open last week, where he faced and ultimately succumbed to the eventual finalist, Daniil Medvedev, in a hard-fought three-set encounter.

Felix Auger-Aliassime, seeded third in the tournament, has powered through to the semifinals of the Open Sud de France, showcasing an impressive level of play. His journey began with a hard-fought victory over young French talent Arthur Cazaux, prevailing in a thrilling encounter with a scoreline of 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(4). He followed this up with a commanding win against another local player, Harold Mayot, securing a convincing 7-5, 6-1 victory.

However, Auger-Aliassime encountered physical discomfort during his match against Mayot, reminiscent of Jannik Sinner's experience at the 2023 China Open. Despite feeling unwell and being forced to vomit into a garbage can during a changeover, Auger-Aliassime demonstrated remarkable resilience, ultimately triumphing and securing his spot in the semifinals of the tournament, currently held by defending champion Jannik Sinner.

In a dramatic quarterfinal clash against Grigor Dimitrov at the 2023 China Open, Jannik Sinner faced significant health challenges, reminiscent of Felix Auger-Aliassime's recent experience. Despite grappling with stomach issues, Sinner showcased extraordinary resilience, securing victory and ultimately claiming the tournament title.

This pivotal moment marked a transformative juncture in Sinner's career, propelling him to a phenomenal run across the ATP Tour and Davis Cup. The Italian secured the title at the China Open, Vienna Open, Davis Cup with Italy, and his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open, in addition to being the runner-up in the ATP Finals.