Go Canada: Auger-Aliassime joins Shapovalov in quarterfinals

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov are having fun with fairly a run within the Australian solar.

For the primary time, two Canadian males have reached the Australian Open quarterfinals.

Auger-Aliassime wore down 2014 U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2, 7-6 (4) on Monday to hitch Shapovalov within the final eight.

“I misplaced 3 times to Marin. He’s going to come back out together with his finest stage and make me earn my win and I’m completely happy to get by means of, significantly the best way I did it,” the 21-year-old, No. 9-seeded Auger-Aliassime stated. “The solar right here in Australia hits you fairly onerous (however) I really feel good.”

The Canadians tuned up for the Australian Open by successful the ATP Cup in Sydney earlier this month, the pair successful their singles matches to defeat Spain in remaining.

The 22-year-old Shapovalov will play 20-time main winner Rafael Nadal within the quarterfinals on Tuesday within the prime half of the boys’s bracket. Auger-Aliassime will play U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev on Wednesday.

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WHERE IS PENG SHUAI?

Tennis nice Martina Navratilova and French participant Nicolas Mahut have joined the criticism of Australian Open organizers following a crackdown on activists sporting T-shirts and unfurling banners on the event to assist Chinese language participant Peng Shuai.

Mahut stated the order for spectators to take away the banners and T-shirts got here as Melbourne Park carries signage for 1573, a Chinese language distillery.

Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada autographs a flag after defeating Marin Cilic of Croatia of their fourth spherical match on the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022.

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“What’s happening!?” What lack of braveness! What for those who didn't have Chinese language sponsors #1573. past dissatisfied” Mahut posted on social media.

The Chinese language authorities has been accused of “disappearing” tennis participant Peng Shuai after she made a sexual assault allegation late final yr towards a detailed ally of President Xi Jinping.

The WTA, which runs the ladies’s tennis tour, has responded by saying it gained’t play any tournaments in China this yr.

Navratilova, a three-time Australian Open singles champion, added her voice to these condemning the censorship when she tweeted: “That’s simply pathetic. The @wta stands just about alone on this!!!”

Mahut, who was seeded seventh within the Australian Open males’s doubles competitors with compatriot Fabrice Martin, and Navratilova have been outraged by footage screened on Sunday of safety and police requesting a fan take away a shirt which featured a picture of Peng on the entrance and “The place is Peng Shuai?” on the again.

Tennis Australia responded initially by stating that such apparel breached its rule on “political messaging.“

In an additional response Monday to the social media backlash, Tennis Australia stated it understood “folks have strongly held private and political beliefs on a variety of points.”

“Peng Shuai’s security is our main concern. We proceed to work with the WTA and the worldwide tennis neighborhood to do every part we are able to to make sure her well-being,“ the assertion stated. ”Our work is ongoing and thru the suitable channels.

“To make sure that the Australian Open stays a welcoming, secure and inclusive occasion for everybody, we've got a longstanding coverage of not permitting banners, indicators or clothes which might be business or political.“

After advancing to the quarterfinals, veteran French participant Alize Cornet stated “I believe that everyone ought to, like, be capable to manifest their assist to Peng Shuai.” Requested in regards to the challenge at a every day briefing in Beijing on Monday, Chinese language Overseas Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian stated China was “all the time against the politicization of sports activities.”

“Such actions are unpopular and can by no means succeed,” Zhao stated.

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FLYING THE FLAG

Iran has its first feminine winner in a Grand Slam event with Meshkatolzahra Safi’s advance within the Australian Open women singles occasion.

Safi emphasised the message to “don’t surrender in your goals” after beating native qualifier Anja Nayar to arrange a second-round match towards eighth-seed Sofia Costoulas of Belgium.

Impressed by watching Rafael Nadal on tv, Safi is set to forge a path for others to comply with in Iran the place soccer is the most important sporting ardour.

Safi began taking part in by means of the ITF program Junior Tennis Initiative and gained six of seven finals throughout 12 tournaments final yr.

“I actually had powerful occasions. Taking part in skilled tennis in my nation is absolutely onerous. I had a very powerful time taking part in tournaments, I couldn’t get visas, I didn’t have sponsors plenty of occasions. I didn’t have an opportunity to get plenty of factors as a result of I couldn’t play tournaments,” she stated.

“In my nation, for those who ask which sport you want, they are saying soccer. I used to be watching (Nadal) with my mom, we have been curious, is there any tennis in Iran? We will simply strive.“

Safi wears the normal head overlaying and lengthy pants which is troublesome with the searing temperatures on Melbourne Park’s onerous courts.

”I just like the solar, however not this a lot. I’m used to this hijab and this overlaying. I’ve been taking part in with this since I used to be 9. At this time was actually, actually troublesome … however I’m used to it (the hijab) and it doesn’t trouble me,” she stated.

The 17-year-old Safi, who’s ranked 74 in juniors, has a aim to play all 4 Grand Slam junior occasions this yr. The following step is to get a visa for the French Open to proceed to spice up her rating for the principle singles attracts.

“I simply actually wish to say don’t surrender in your goals. Once I begin my journey, everybody in Iran was saying that is unattainable, you can not try this. I simply stored pushing. Consider in your goals,” she stated.

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AP Sports activities Author John Pye contributed to this report.

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