Auger-Aliassime and Keys take out Adelaide titles

Felix Auger-Aliassime lifts the winner's trophy after the men's singles final match against USA's Sebastian Korda at the Adelaide International tennis tournament. PHOTO: AFP

Felix Auger-Aliassime and Madison Keys completed the perfect preparation for the Australian Open Saturday when they claimed top honours at the Adelaide International.

Keys upset top seed and world number seven Jessica Pegula to win the event for a second time in a major confidence-boost ahead of the opening Grand Slam of the year.

The world number 20 duplicated her 2022 trophy at Memorial Drive by defeating her American compatriot 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 for a ninth WTA crown.

Canada's Auger-Aliassime fired down 10 aces to beat American Sebastian Korda 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in the men's final, earning his sixth career trophy.He is on a five-match win streak which began last week with his victory over world number four Taylor Fritz at the United Cup.

"We've known each other for a while, we always push each other," said Auger-Aliassime of Korda, who was competing in his first tournament since undergoing elbow surgery in October.

Keys came back from a medical timeout in the second set after treatment on her left knee to watch her good friend Pegula, last year's US Open finalist, take the final into a deciding set.

But she rallied to deliver the win on her first match point, setting her up nicely for an Australian Open first-round clash against another American, Ann Li.

"Jess had an amazing week, coming out of the gates in the first week and making the final," said Keys, who won her last title in May at Strasbourg.

"I also got off to a good start and I'm looking forward for what's to come this season.

"I haven't been back here (Adelaide) since 2022 when I won the title. I feel I should be back every year in Adelaide."

Pegula admitted she was clearly outplayed.

"I had like, three winners, it was tough," she said.

"Maddie hits the ball harder than anyone, she played some amazing tennis.

"This was a good week to start the season for me. I'm excited to keep it going into Melbourne," Pegula added.

The Australian Open at Melbourne Park gets underway on Sunday.

Alcaraz plans to take Melbourne Park by storm

Carlos Alcaraz said Saturday his burgeoning rivalry with Jannik Sinner brought out the best in him, with the Spanish star driven by winning more Grand Slam titles and toppling the Italian as world number one.

The 21-year-old clinched both Roland-Garros and Wimbledon last year and is preparing to take Melbourne Park by storm and lift the Australian Open to complete a career Grand Slam of all four majors.

With the retirements of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic in his twilight years, world number three Alcaraz's rivalry with 23-year-old Sinner has taken over at the summit of the game.

"When I'm facing him, I just know that I have to play my best if I want to win. That's it. Probably if I have a bad day against Jannik, it's 99 percent that you're going to lose," said the Spaniard.

"That's what is in my mind every time that I'm going to play against him.

"The good thing for me is when I'm seeing him winning titles, when I'm seeing him in the top of the ranking, it forces me to practise even harder every day," he added.

"In the practice, I'm just thinking the things that I have to improve to play against him.

"That I think is great for me, having him, have such a great rivalry so far, just to give the best of me every day."

Despite Alcaraz and Sinner becoming the Grand Slam kings by sharing the four major titles last year, the Italian raced away as world number one due to his greater consistency through the season.

Alcaraz has tweaked his serve, and has a lighter racquet, in a bid to up his game this year, knowing he needs to play better for longer.

"After the US Open for me is kind of difficult to stay at a high level. I mean, is kind of when I'm tired, I've played a lot of tournaments, a lot of time outside home," he said.

"So for me is difficult, that part of the year. Last year I did much better than 2023. So hopefully this year is going to be better." AFP

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