US Open 2025: Billy Harris exits in first round after gripping battle against 25th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime

Harris put up a strong fight against the world No.27 but couldn’t get over the line as the Canadian prevailed 6-4, 7-6(8), 6-4 in just under three hours.

The British No.6 had received entry into the main draw as a lucky loser after falling short in the final round of qualifying to Coleman Wong, but will leave New York full of confidence following some standout performances.

The match marked a career-first meeting between the pair, with Auger-Aliassime full of praise for his British opponent after their clash, “He’s (Harris) a tough opponent, he’s been playing better and better every year - he’s got a lot of strength in his game so for me, it’s a great opening round win.”

Harris did well to overturn a break deficit early in the opening set to pull the scoreboard back to 3-3 on Court 17.

The big-serving Brit stepped up to stay in the set but a combination of missed first serves and some unforced errors from his racket all but sealed the opener for the Canadian as Harris fired a forehand between the tramlines.

The former Lexus Eastbourne Open semi-finalist made the most of a shaky start from his opponent, who hit 24 unforced errors in the second set alone, and went on to convert an early break point opportunity to edge ahead.

On the verge of levelling the tie to a set apiece, Harris stepped up to serve out the set at 5-3, but signs of nerves began to creep in as a crushing forehand brought up two break points for the 25th seed, who grabbed the opportunity with both hands to draw level once again.

Into the tie-break we headed and Harris wasn't without his chances, having brought up three set points. However, Auger-Aliassime continued to mount the pressure on the 30-year-old Brit, who sent a forehand long to hand his opponent a two set advantage.

With all the momentum swinging in his favour, the two-time ATP titleholder looked to be well on his way to victory as he broke the Briton to love in the fifth game of the third but Harris continued to put up a fight in front of a growing Court 17 crowd.

Having clawed back to 4-4, Harris was hoping to take Auger-Aliassime to a second successive tie-break but a double fault proved his undoing as the Canadian re-gained the advantage before closing out his first win at Flushing Meadows since 2022 in two hours and 57 minutes.

Wednesday's US Open action will see plenty more Brits in action, with British No.1 Emma Raducanu and Cam Norrie in contesting their second round matches.

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