Top seeds Pegula, Paul surge into Adelaide semis

In Adelaide, Australia, on January 10, 2025, Felix Auger-Aliassime faced Tommy Paul in a thrilling semi-final match at the Adelaide International. After nearly three hours of intense play, Auger-Aliassime emerged victorious, needing four match points to secure a final score of 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 6-4. The match was characterized by numerous unforced errors from both players, totaling over 90, which caused fluctuations in momentum during the match. Auger-Aliassime was determined to recover quickly, acknowledging the mental and physical toll of such a closely contested match as he prepared for the finals against Sebastian Korda, who defeated Miomir Kecmanovic earlier in the day. On the women's side of the tournament, top seed Jessica Pegula advanced to the finals after defeating Yulia Putintseva with a scoreline of 7-6 (7-4), 6-3. Pegula aims to capture her first title since reaching the US Open final in September. She expressed the anticipation of competing against her friend Madison Keys in the finals, as both have a history of close matches, splitting their two previous meetings. Keys reached the final after winning against Liudmila Samsonova, who had to retire during their match due to injury, which left Keys feeling mixed emotions about her progression to the final. Both the men's and women's finals in Adelaide set the stage for significant competition ahead of the Australian Open, generating excitement among fans and players alike for the upcoming major tournament. Auger-Aliassime's victory was particularly notable as it represented an opportunity for him to capture his sixth title, while Paul’s loss prevented him from breaking into the top ten rankings for the first time in his career. The Adelaide International thus serves as an important lead-up event to the Australian Open, with players looking to build momentum and confidence ahead of the season's first Grand Slam. With conditions for the players expected to be challenging in the finals, both Auger-Aliassime and Pegula expressed their focus on recovery and preparation. As they head into the conclusion of the Adelaide International, the players aim to make strong impressions before the Australian Open begins, ensuring that fans can expect thrilling matches as the competitive season unfolds.