Félix Auger-Aliassime fell to Carlos Alcaraz in the Paris Olympic semifinals on Friday, losing 6-1, 6-1.
The Canadian tennis player was seeking his first Olympic medal.

What happened?

Alcaraz broke Auger-Aliassime three times to win the opening set with the loss of just one game.
Auger-Aliassime looked to start the second set on more even footing but lost a 40-15 lead in the fourth game.

Why it matters for Félix Auger-Aliassime

The loss marks Auger-Aliassime's third straight defeat to Alcaraz, including two in straight sets this season.
Their last match was also in Paris, where Alcaraz won in straight sets on his way to the Roland Garros title.

What comes next?

Auger-Aliassime will now compete for the bronze medal, while Alcaraz moves on to the gold medal match.
The Canadian player had shown signs of life on clay at the Mutua Madrid Open, where he shocked former No. 2 Casper Ruud en route to his first Masters 1000 final.

Alcaraz has been on song in his return to the terre battue on which he captured his first Roland Garros title just under two months ago.
He improved to 20-1 since the end of May, guaranteeing himself a spot on the podium with a 75-minute victory over Auger-Aliassime.

The reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion has an opportunity to mirror his childhood idol's 2008 season with a Roland Garros-Wimbledon-Olympic sweep.
Auger-Aliassime, a former world No. 6, has struggled with consistency since reaching a maiden major semifinal at the 2021 US Open.

The Canadian player had repeated his feat against Ruud on Thursday in Paris, shaking off a second-set hiccup to defeat the Norwegian.
He became the first Canadian to reach an Olympic singles semifinals and put himself in position to leave his second Olympics with a medal.

But first, he had to face a familiar opponent in Alcaraz, who picked up where he left off from their last match in Paris.
Alcaraz won in straight sets on his way to the Roland Garros title, and he did the same on Friday, breaking Auger-Aliassime three times to win the opening set.

Yesterday was a really tough day for Félix, playing a really tough match in singles and mixed doubles, finished late, Alcaraz said on court.
It was probably difficult to rest for him, which made it difficult to play his best tennis.

The 21-year-old Spaniard rallied to win in two sets against in-form American Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals.
He held a set point in the second-set tiebreaker before Alcaraz won.

Alcaraz also enjoyed an unforgettable week in men's doubles, partnering Rafael Nadal to reach the quarterfinals.
He has been focused on himself and his game, and it has paid off so far in the Olympics.

I had to be focused on myself, my game, and I'm really happy with my performance, Alcaraz said.
It's probably my best tennis so far, so I'm happy with the feeling.