Competing as a top-5 player for the first time in a career, Felix Auger-Aliassime made a winning start to the season.
The Canadian ousted Zhizhen Zhang 6-4, 6-4 at the United Cup in Sydney, sending his country over the top against China.
Dancing into the new season 🎶
World No.5 Auger-Aliassime wins his first match of 2026 against ZZZ 6-4 6-4#UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/CJ81PIqzs8
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 4, 2026
Zhang, the former world no. 31, fell outside the top-400 following injury setbacks in 2025. He fought well against a to-5 rival but failed to extend the battle, with Auger-Aliassime sealing the deal in an hour and 27 minutes.
The favorite made the difference with the first serve. Auger-Aliassime lost 13 points in ten service games and defended the only break chance to mount the pressure on the other side.
Zhizhen faced only two break points following a solid display. However, he failed to save any, allowing Felix to grab two breaks and emerge at the top. The Canadian was off to a reliable start.
He secured a break at love in the first game of the duel and fired a forehand down the line winner in the next one to cement the lead. The Chinese stepped in on the return in the sixth game and generated a break chance with a deep return.
Felix Auger-Aliassime & Zhizhen Zhang, United Cup 2026© Stream screenshot
Auger-Aliassime denied it with a powerful serve and held for 4-2. World no. 5 closed the eighth game with a winner at the net and served for the opener at 5-4.
He drew the rival's mistake and held at 30 for 6-4 in 46 minutes. Felix provided five comfortable holds in the second set and challenged his rival to follow that pace to remain competitive.
Zhang got broken in the third game after Felix's sharp return and a winner at the net. The Canadian fired an ace down the T line in the fourth game and cemented the break.
World no. 5 landed another ace in the sixth game and forged a 4-2 advantage. Zhizhen followed that rhythm and served well to remain within one break deficit. The Chinese clinched the ninth game with an ace to extend the battle.
However, Auger-Aliassime served for the win at 5-4 and held at love with a smash winner, sealing the deal in style and sending Canada over the top.
