Felix Auger-Aliassime will need a big showing during the North American hard-court season to turn around what’s been a disappointing 2023 tennis season.

The former World No. 6 has won just 13 of 24 matches this season and was bounced in the first round of both the French Open and Wimbledon.

Auger-Aliassime has won just one of his past five contests, and that victory came against World No. 240 Pablo Llamas Ruiz on May 22. 

(12 p.m. Eastern)

Injuries have played their part in Auger-Aliassime’s dismal season, but when the Canadian has been on the court he’s been erratic and full of mistakes. 

In a vacuum, Auger-Aliassime’s first match of the Citi DC Open should be just what the doctor ordered.

He’s a much better player than his opponent, World No. 99 Yosuke Watanuki, and he’s playing on his favorite surface. 

But even with a sizable talent gap and the conditions pointing toward the Canadian, it’s impossible to trust Auger-Aliassime as a -320 favorite against basically any player in this field. 

When he was at the peak of his powers, Auger-Aliassime was able to overcome his flaws.

He’s an aggressive player who can pull the trigger too early and make plenty of unforced errors, but his shot-making and overpowering serve could wipe away those mistakes.

But an out-of-form Auger-Aliassime has to work much harder to cover up his blemishes. 

Watanuki likely won’t have the game to upset Auger-Aliassime, but he should be able to at least nab a set against a player that is really struggling.

The play: Yosuke Watanuki +1.5 sets (-105, FanDuel)