Novak Djokovic moves to Rome semifinals with gritty win over Felix Auger-Aliassime, retains No. 1 ranking

Novak Djokovic beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in their maiden encounter in the quarterfinals of the Italian Open on Friday.

With the win, Djokovic will hold on to the World No. 1 spot for at least three more weeks and is assured top seeding for the French Open.

Novak Djokovic vs Felix Auger-Aliassime Score

Djokovic survived a late challenge in the second set as he edged Auger-Aliassime 7-5, 7-6(1), to reach his ninth consecutive semifinal at the Italian Open.

Djokovic would have lost the top spot in the rankings to Daniil Medvedev had he lost before the semifinals in Rome.

Novak Djokovic vs Felix Auger-Aliassime Winner

Djokovic secured his 13th quarterfinal victory in the Italian capital by downing Auger-Aliassime in their first meeting. The World No. 1 is now one win away from becoming the fifth player in the Open Era to reach 1,000 match victories. (Roger Federer, Jimmy Connors, Rafael Nadal and Ivan Lendl have all won 1000+ matches).

Auger-Aliassime, appearing in his fourth Masters 1000 quarterfinal, dropped to a 23-12 win-loss this season. The Canadian is now 9-24 against top 10 opponents after losing to Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic vs Felix Auger-Aliassime Recap

Djokovic brushed off a break point in the fifth game and capitalized when he got his chance to break for 5-3.

Auger-Aliassime managed to stay alive in the set as errors piled up for the Serb, allowing the Canadian to break back. The Canadian then held emphatically at love to draw level at 5-5.

The World No. 1 answered with a hold to push ahead in the opening set. Eyeing a tie-break, Auger-Aliassime started his service game with an errant drop shot and made two more errors.

The World No. 1 converted his second break point with a forehand crosscourt winner to seal the set.

The two players traded holds to start the second set, with Auger-Aliassime hitting three aces and an unreturnable to hold at love.

Djokovic squandered three break points in the sixth game as the Canadian served brilliantly to force deuce. However, Djokovic converted on his fourth attempt by hitting a sumptuous lob over Auger-Aliassime's head. He then battled through three deuces and two break points before holding his serve after nine minutes for a 5-2 lead.

The Serb then wasted a match point on the Canadian's serve before being broken as Auger-Aliassime hit three winners to put the match back on serve at 5-4.

They each had strong showings on serve to force a tie-break. The World No. 1 wrestled control from the Canadian, jumping to a 4-1 lead before converting his second match point at 6-1 on a forehand error by Auger-Aliassime to claim the victory.

Auger-Aliassime outgunned Djokovic in terms of winners (27 to 21), but he committed six more unforced errors than the Serb (23 to 17). The Serb converted three of the eight break points he posted against the Canadian and got broken twice.

Novak Djokovic will face Casper Ruud in the semifinals of the Italian Open on Saturday.