Montreal tennis star Auger-Aliassime kicks off with victory at Barcelona Open – Montreal

Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime shed his recent rust to win his opening match at the Barcelona Open on Wednesday.

Auger-Aliassime, 21, ranked No. 9 in the world and the third seed at the event, held off a spirited challenge from Spanish qualifier Carlos Taberne to win a clay court 6-1, 3-6, 6- 4. victory.

The Montreal native landed 71 percent of his first serves with seven aces, while Taberner, the world No. 94, landed 81 percent of his first serves but had no aces.

Auger-Aliassime slumped in the tournament, with just one victory in his previous four events.

His recent struggles followed a very successful start to the season which saw him help Canada win the ATP Cup, qualify for the quarter-finals at the Australian Open, claim their first ATP title in Rotterdam and to qualify for the final in Marseille.

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Tennis stars Felix Auger-Aliassime and Leyla Fernandez return home after US Open