Auger-Aliassime Stuns de Minaur, Reaches U.S. Open Semis

Henry — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 05:30:35 +0000

Canada’s Félix Auger-Aliassime defeats Alex de Minaur in a four-hour battle to reach the U.S. Open semifinals, boosting his world ranking.

A Breakthrough Victory in New York

Canadian star Félix Auger-Aliassime advanced to the U.S. Open semifinals on Wednesday after a grueling four-set victory over Australia’s Alex de Minaur. The 25th seed from Montreal battled through errors and fatigue to defeat the world No. 8 by scores of 4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-5, 7-6 (4) in a match lasting four hours and 10 minutes at Flushing Meadows.

Why This Win Matters

For Auger-Aliassime, this marks his first semifinal appearance at a Grand Slam since the 2021 U.S. Open — exactly four years ago. The Canadian entered the tournament ranked No. 27 but is projected to climb to 13th, his highest ATP standing in more than two years. The win also gives him three victories over top-15 opponents in this tournament, including Alexander Zverev and Andrey Rublev.

How the Match Unfolded

The marathon clash was far from flawless. Both players recorded 11 double faults, and errors piled up on key points. However, Auger-Aliassime countered with 22 aces and rallied from deficits in both the second and fourth sets, showing resilience under pressure. He credited advice from Rafael Nadal, who once told him the key to greatness was finding ways to win even on off days.

What’s Next for the Canadian

Auger-Aliassime now awaits the winner of the quarterfinal between Italians Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti. A victory in the semifinal would propel him into his first career Grand Slam final and cap a remarkable resurgence after dropping out of the top 30 in 2024.

Canadian Success in Doubles

It was also a strong day for Canadian tennis in doubles. Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski and partner Erin Routliffe of New Zealand defeated Italy’s Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani 6-4, 6-3 to reach Friday’s U.S. Open women’s doubles final. The third-seeded duo will face top seeds Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova for the championship. Dabrowski and Routliffe previously won the U.S. Open doubles crown in 2023.

Wider Tournament Highlights

Elsewhere in New York, American Amanda Anisimova upset world No. 1 Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-3 in a women’s quarterfinal showdown, avenging her Wimbledon loss earlier this summer. The women’s semifinals on Thursday will feature defending champion Aryna Sabalenka against Jessica Pegula, a rematch of last year’s final.

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Canada Falls to No. 9 in FIFA Women’s Rankings

Avery — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 06:13:45 +0000

Canada drops to ninth in FIFA women’s soccer rankings after 3-0 loss to U.S., while Spain reclaims top spot following European Championship run.

Ranking Shift Announced

Canada’s women’s national soccer team has dropped one place to ninth in the latest FIFA world rankings released Thursday. The slip comes after a mixed July performance, highlighted by a convincing 4–1 win over No. 43 Costa Rica but followed by a disappointing 3–0 defeat to the United States in Washington.

Spain Back on Top

Spain reclaimed the No. 1 position after five consecutive wins at the UEFA European Women’s Championship and a narrow penalty shootout loss to England in the final. This marks Spain’s return to the top spot after previously leading from December 2023 to June 2024. The U.S., which had held first place since August 2024, now sits second.

Global Ranking Movements

Several nations saw significant changes. Sweden jumped three places to third, and England moved up one to fourth following their European triumph. Germany slipped to fifth, France rose to sixth, and Brazil, Japan, Canada, and North Korea rounded out the top ten — with all four losing ground.

Canada’s Downward Trend

The drop to ninth marks Canada’s third consecutive ranking fall since finishing 2024 in sixth place. Head coach Casey Stoney’s side has struggled for consistency, particularly against top-ranked opponents. The latest loss to the U.S. underscored ongoing challenges in breaking down elite defences and maintaining defensive stability.

Broader International Highlights

Beyond the top ten, Bangladesh soared 24 places to 104th after strong performances against Myanmar, Bahrain, and Turkmenistan, securing a spot in the final AFC qualifying round for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Vanuatu climbed 19 spots to 100th, and the Solomon Islands leapt 13 spots to 73rd after winning their first continental title.

Looking Ahead

Canada’s next fixtures will be crucial in halting the slide in rankings and building momentum toward World Cup qualifying campaigns. With Spain and the U.S. setting the pace, Canada faces mounting pressure to sharpen its attack and regain form against the world’s best.

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