Felix Auger Aliassime successfully defended his Montpellier title by fending off a strong challenge from home favorite Adrian Mannarino in the final of the Open Occitaine 6-3 7-6(4)
I knew it would be a tough match today, so I’m very happy. It’s great emotions to win here again. I’m happy with my whole week and especially today Very satisfied Auger
It took the Canadian 96 minutes to retain the gold championship trophy for the ninth title of his career, eight of which were won on indoor hard courts.
The 25-year-old won the first eight points to take control and closed the set with the second break of Mannarino’s serve in the ninth game.
The second set was a closely fought affair, dominated by serve, with the defending champion held at bay until 5-4, when he collected a break point. Auger-Aliassime took the first break point which also served as the championship point.
That was successfully repelled by Mannarino with an unreturnable serve, but Auger-Aliassime later took five straight points from 2-4 in the final tiebreak to complete a straight-set win.
Auger-Aliassime’s serve provided the basis for his eventual victory, in which he smashed 13 aces past the Frenchman.
“Adrian is always a very difficult opponent to play against, for all players, I think,” said Auger-Aliassime, who did not face a break point all match. “That’s why I and all our colleagues on Tour have so much respect for him and the challenge he sets on the field. I knew it would be a tough race today, so I’m very happy. It’s great emotions to win here again. I’m happy with my whole week and especially today.”
His title-winning streak included victories over Stan Wawrinka, Arthur Fils, Titouan Droguet and ultimately Mannarino for his second consecutive Montpellier title and lifts him ahead of Milos Raonic in titles won, making him the most successful Canadian in the Open Era. Auger-Aliassime has now won 89 indoor tour-level matches this decade, the most of any player.
(Photo by Alexandre Dimou/Alexpress/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
After withdrawing from his first round match at the Australia Open with cramp, Auger-Aliassime now heads to Rotterdam, another event he previously won in 2022, the first of his current tally.
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