'It's not rocket science', Auger-Aliassime fights back from the brink

MELBOURNE : Felix Auger-Aliassime avoided a humbling exit from the second round of the Australian Open on Wednesday, cutting out the mistakes to secure a thrilling 3-6 3-6 6-3 6-2 6-2 comeback win over Slovakian Alex Molcan.

Backed as a potential champion at Melbourne Park by no less than John McEnroe this week, the Canadian sixth seed looked like slumping out of the year's first Grand Slam after an error-prone first two sets on Margaret Court Arena.

The 22-year-old appeared to get fired up by a complaint to the umpire about the state of the balls early in the third set, however, and suddenly was a different player, serving like a dream and imposing his game on the world number 53.

"It's quite simple, you have to put the ball in the court without missing," Auger-Aliassime laughed, explaining the transformation.

"At the end of the day, it's not rocket science. So I was just trying to put one more ball in the court and make it simple, make it work."

It was quite a contrast with the opening two sets when Auger-Aliassime overcooked his shots on both sides and sprayed 25 unforced errors, with Molcan gleefully taking advantage.

"The numbers show it but he was just way more consistent than I was in the first two sets," Auger-Aliassime conceded.

"I was just trying to find a way to stay a little bit longer on court, to make the match tough and make it last longer.

"When I was able to clinch that third set, I got a lot more of belief in myself, my thoughts were a lot more positive and then I was thinking: 'I've done it before maybe I can do it again, come back and win'.

"I'm really thrilled I was able to get it done. It was a tough day for me."

The Canadian, who lost the first set of his opening match against compatriot Vasek Pospisil