Tennis

Canada's Auger-Aliassime clinches berth in Miami Open main draw

Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Paolo Lorenzi of Italy 7-6 (1), 6-2 in the second and final round of qualifying for the Miami Open on Wednesday. As seeded players, fellow Canadians Denis Shapovalov and Milos Raonic received byes.

Montreal teen ranks 57th in world after recent series of strong performances

Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime celebrates qualifying for the main draw of this week's Miami Open after defeating Italy's Paolo Lorenzi in straight sets on Wednesday. (Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to the main draw at the Miami Open.

The 18-year-old from Montreal defeated Paolo Lorenzi of Italy 7-6 (1), 6-2 in the second and final round of qualifying for the ATP Tour Masters 1000 event on Wednesday.

"I served much better today. I made a few errors in rhythm, in shot location at the beginning but slowly, it came together," Auger-Aliassime said.

"Lorenzi had a good first set. He played well, he was solid. In the tiebreak, I served well again, took my opportunity, And after that, everything was on my side. So overall I'm pretty satisfied with the effort today."

WATCH | Felix Auger-Aliassime close out Wednesday's straight-sets win:

Auger-Aliassime advances to Miami Open main draw

6 years ago
Duration 1:04
Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime beats Paolo Lorenzi 7-6 (1), 6-2.

While Auger-Aliassime is ranked 57th in the world after a string of good results over the past month, his ranking was not high enough to secure a spot into the main draw when the entry list came out several weeks ago.

Auger-Aliassime was the second seed in the qualifying draw, while Lorenzi was 17th.

Auger-Aliassime joins No. 20 seed Denis Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ont., and No. 12 seed Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont., in the main draw. As seeded players, Shapovalov and Raonic get byes.

On the women's side, Bianca Andreescu of Mississauga, Ont., had her first-round match against Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania suspended after rain cancelled play on Wednesday night

The 18-year-old Canadian is coming off a stunning run to the title at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif. Miami organizers rewarded Andreescu with the featured match on centre court on the opening night of the tournament.

Andreescu with the featured match on centre court on the opening night of the tournament.