Felix Auger-Aliassime Shocks Alexander Zverev In Epic US Open Upset

Felix Auger-Aliassime just delivered the kind of performance that makes you remember why you fell in love with tennis in the first place. The 25th-seeded Canadian took down third seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday night at Louis Armstrong Stadium, and frankly, it was about time we saw Felix back where he belongs. How did the match unfold?

The Moment That Changed Everything

Auger-Aliassime was staring down the barrel of a two-set deficit when Zverev held set point at 6-5 in that second-set tiebreak. Most players would have folded faster than a bad poker hand. But Felix? He channeled every ounce of frustration from his disappointing major showings this year and flipped the script entirely.

“I got a bit lucky in the tie-break that it went my way,” Auger-Aliassime said afterward, though anyone who watched that match knows luck had nothing to do with it. That was pure heart and determination from a guy who’s been knocking on the door for years.

The Canadian’s 2025 season at the majors had been uglier than a backhand into the net. Second round exits at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon had people questioning whether he would ever recapture that magic from his 2021 US Open semifinal run. Well, consider those doubts officially silenced.

Net Play Masterclass From Auger-Aliassime

Here’s where things get interesting from a tactical standpoint. Auger-Aliassime didn’t just beat Zverev—he dominated him at the net, winning an absolutely ridiculous 24 of 27 net points. For those keeping score at home, that’s an 89% success rate that would make even the greatest serve-and-volley players jealous.

“I was seeing it big today, and it’s good when you feel like that on the court, for sure,” Auger-Aliassime said. This wasn’t the tentative player we’d seen struggling in early rounds of majors this year. This was vintage Auger-Aliassime, attacking with purpose and executing with precision.

The match lasted three hours and 48 minutes, but it felt like watching a masterclass in mental fortitude. After that nervous start where he dropped the first set, Auger-Aliassime settled into a rhythm that Zverev simply couldn’t match.

Breaking Down the Zverev Upset

Let’s give credit where it’s due—Zverev came into this match with a commanding 6-2 head-to-head lead over Auger-Aliassime. The German had every reason to feel confident, especially after taking that opening set. But tennis has a funny way of humbling even the most accomplished players. “It was a nervous start the first few games and after it was pretty crazy, pretty flawless,” Auger-Aliassime said. “But still Sascha was serving unbelievable, so it was tough to get a break.”

What made this victory even more special? It marked Auger-Aliassime’s first win against a Top-5 opponent at this level. He’d been 0-6 in such encounters before Saturday night, carrying that burden like a weight on his shoulders. Sometimes in sports, you need that one breakthrough moment to unlock everything else.

The Road Ahead For Auger-Aliassime

Now comes the real test. Auger-Aliassime faces 15th seed Andrey Rublev in the fourth round, and the Russian brings a daunting 7-1 head-to-head advantage into their showdown. But here is the thing about momentum in tennis—it can make even the most lopsided matchups feel winnable.

Rublev survived his own five-set thriller against Coleman Wong, grinding out a 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 victory that left him physically drained. Meanwhile, Auger-Aliassime looked fresh as a daisy after dispatching Zverev, despite the nearly four-hour battle.

“Obviously job’s not done. The tournament’s still going, but this means a lot to me. A lot of hard work, many years,” Auger-Aliassime said. This wasn’t just about reaching the fourth round—it was about proving to himself that he belongs in these moments.

Final Thoughts

The Canadian’s path to this breakthrough moment hasn’t been easy. Since bursting onto the scene as a teenager, he has dealt with the pressure of high expectations and the frustration of near-misses. But Saturday night felt different. It felt like the beginning of something special rather than another false dawn.

“I think I would be a fool not to use his win for confidence,” Auger-Aliassime said when asked about facing Rublev. For tennis fans who’ve been waiting to see Auger-Aliassime fulfill his immense potential, Saturday’s upset of Zverev felt like watching a puzzle piece finally click into place. The serve was there, the forehand was crushing balls, and most importantly, the belief was back.