Felix Auger-Aliassime went down swinging in his debut ATP match. Literally.
Despite facing a top 40 foe in Filip Krajinovic, the 17-year-old Canadian displayed an elite level of composure in his first tour-level match.
Auger-Aliassime served an ace to start things off but struggled with control at times throughout the two hour, 15 minute match. The Montreal native hit 14 aces and 49 winners with 53 unforced errors.
Krajinovic, the World No. 38 and 2017 Paris Masters runner-up, took the match, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5. Holding his own against an opponent who has eight more years of ATP expereince than him, Auger-Aliassime's debut performance can be seen as a success in many ways.
On the fourth match point, Filip Krajinovic gets it done in style...
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 13, 2018
An absorbing battle in Rotterdam as the Serb takes out Auger-Aliassime 6-2 3-6 7-5. #abnamrowtt pic.twitter.com/rZqnnSeUhs
After beginning 2017 ranked 614th, Auger-Aliassime climbed to No. 162 by the end of the calendar year. Now standing at 168, he is the youngest player in the ATP Top 200.
Auger-Aliassime didn't travel down under for the Australian Open in December due to a knee injury but was back on the courts in Budapest Challenger. He defeated Blaz Rola in three sets before falling to Constant Lestienne by 6-0-, 6-2 in just 47 minutes.
A close friend to Denis Shapovalov, there have been many conparisons made between the two budding Canadian stars, with some holding the belief that Auger-Aliassime may be better than his 18-year-old practice buddy.
Auger-Aliassime may have walked off the court with an L today but the potential he displayed in his opening ATP match points toward a bright future on tour.