With an impressive serve and a strong sense of patience, Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime captured his second men’s tennis title of the year.
The second-seeded player triumphed over Aleksandar Kovacevic with a score of 6-2, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2) in the thrilling final of the Open Occitanie tournament on Sunday. Hailing from Montreal, Auger-Aliassime delivered an astounding 19 aces and successfully won 78% of his first serve points during the intense ATP 250 event, which unfolded over two hours and 39 minutes.
“My serve played a crucial role in keeping me competitive and close on the scoreboard,” Auger-Aliassime expressed. “I lost one tiebreak but managed to take the other, and I’m just relieved it tilted in my favor this time.”
However, the rising star also acknowledged Kovacevic’s serve, which allowed the American to rally back in both the second and third sets.
“His serving quality improved significantly,” the Canadian noted. “In the first set, he was attempting tough shots that he wasn’t landing consistently.”
“But in the latter sets, he began to find those shots. He played brilliantly in the second and third, so I had to remain patient and look for the right moment to turn the tide.”
Auger-Aliassime emphasized that maintaining his composure and focusing on the present helped him navigate through the match effectively.
“I faced a bit of misfortune; he nailed an incredible passing shot right on the line when I had match point in the second set,” he reflected. “It could easily have gone out, which is when mental strength is truly tested.”
“You have to concentrate on what you can control and tackle every challenge with the best possible mindset without succumbing to self-doubt.”
Auger-Aliassime also converted two out of three break points during the match, clinching his second title of the season and the seventh of his career. Having previously won the Adelaide International in January, he now boasts an impressive record of 10-2 for the season.