By Janina Nuno Rios

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Felix Auger-Aliassime said stepping back onto Arthur Ashe Stadium “felt even better than the first time” as he returned to the U.S. Open quarter-finals with a composed 7-5 6-3 6-4 win over Andrey Rublev on Monday.

The 25-year-old, reaching his first major quarter-final since the 2022 Australian Open, kept his cool to notch his second victory in nine meetings with the Russian.

The Canadian admitted the moment carried extra weight after battling injuries and dips in confidence since his 2021 breakthrough semi-final run at Flushing Meadows.

“Today is my first time playing Arthur Ashe in a few years. It feels even better than the first time,” Auger-Aliassime said.

“In ’21 I was on my way back and had a few setbacks and injuries, struggles with confi

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