Felix Auger-Aliassime’s first match as the world No. 4 went according to plan. The Canadian top seed, just eight days removed from his Roland Garros quarterfinal loss to Flavio Cobolli, opened his Libema Open campaign with a composed 6-3, 6-4 win over Marton Fucsovics before rain washed out the rest of Thursday’s program at Autotron Rosmalen.
The new No. 4. Auger-Aliassime’s rise to a career-high ranking reframes his grass season: he arrives at the sport’s fastest surface with the serve-forward game that has historically traveled well in June, and a draw at this ATP 250 that opened further when the weather intervened behind him. The win was his trademark efficient grass-court tennis — first-strike points, minimal drama, straight sets.
Medvedev in danger. The day’s tension was left frozen mid-match. On Center Court, 17-year-old Dutch wildcard Thijs Boogaard led 3-2 on serve in the second set against Daniil Medvedev — who had taken the opener 6-3 — when rain interrupted, and play was eventually cancelled for the day. On Court 2, Nuno Borges led Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-5 with the Croatian serving to stay in the match. Both resume Friday, with the home crowd sensing that Boogaard, the local teenager, might yet make Medvedev’s week complicated.
The quarterfinal picture. The completed half of the draw already has shape. Zhang Zhizhen upset 2023 champion and home favorite Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(5), 6-4 to reach his first tour-level quarterfinal since February last year, where he meets 2019 champion Adrien Mannarino, who beat fourth seed Arthur Rinderknech in three sets. French qualifier Benjamin Bonzi outlasted Ugo Humbert 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to set up a quarterfinal against second seed Alex de Minaur.
With Friday now doubling as catch-up day, the Rosmalen schedule tightens — and the road to Sunday’s final runs through whatever Medvedev and Boogaard left unfinished on the grass.
