Gael Monfils' opponent in the final Felix Auger-Alliassime in action during the Rotterdam Open. (Getty Images)
The in-form Felix Auger-Aliassime locks horns with French qualifier Manuel Guinard in the round of 16 of the European Open on Wednesday.
The Canadian youngster has produced some scintillating performances so far this season. He clinched the ATP Cup for Canada to start the year with a bang. Felix followed it up with another impressive result at the Australian Open as he made it to the quarter-finals for the first time. He won the title in Rotterdam and reached the finals at Open 13. After a few dismal outings in the following tournaments, he reached the quarter-finals in four consecutive tournaments – Barcelona Open, Estoril Open, Madrid Open, and the Italian Open. The 22-year-old also reached the semi-finals at the Libema Open and the quarter-finals at the Halle Open. A semi-final appearance at the Los Cabos Open and quarter-final appearances in Canada and Cincinnati followed.
The youngster is coming into the tournament on the back of a triumphant campaign in the Firenze Open. He eased past Jeffrey John Wolf in the final to bag the title.
The 26-year-old has mostly played in Challenger events and won a title as well. On the ATP Tour, he made it to the quarter-final at the Lyon Open. In the recently-concluded Gijon Open, Guinard reached the round of 16 after progressing from the qualifiers.
In the two qualifiers of the European Open, Guinard defeated Filip Horansky and Jesper de Jong in straight sets. The Frenchman faced compatriot Geoffrey Blancaneaux in the round of 32 and came back from a set down to win the match 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.
The head-to-head scoreline currently stands at 0-0 as the two players have never crossed paths as yet.
Prediction: Felix Auger-Aliassime to win in straight sets.
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