Auger-Aliassime Forgets Australian Open Disappointment With First Win In Montpellier
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Felix Auger-Aliassime started the 2025 Montpellier Open with a straightforward win over Arthur Cazaux.
Auger-Aliassime had a perfect start to the season. He won his first title since 2023 in Adelaide. That meant he entered the Australian Open as one of the dark horses, but his journey didn't last long.
Already in the second round, the young Canadian lost to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, ending his stay in Melbourne. It was a weird match, as players were forced to change courts during the match because of a rowdy crowd nearby.
After a disappointing finish to his stay in Australia, Auger-Aliassime moved to Montpellier. He competed at the ATP 250 event twice before, reaching the semi-final last year and the second round in 2020.
This ear, he automatically qualified for the second round, thanks to a first-round bye. Auger-Aliassime is the second seed in Montpellier, which allowed him to avoid the first-round match.
His first opponent was Arthur Cazaux, who outplayed Stan Wawrinka in the first round. The French player could rely on the support from his home fans, so this match wasn't easy for the Canadian.
But it couldn't have started better for Auger-Aliassime. Already in the first game of the match, he broke his opponent's serve, which was an ideal start for someone who can serve as well as he does in indoor conditions.
Last year's semi-finalist then confirmed his serving qualities in the remainder of the first set. He hit four aces, won 94% of rallies after his first serve, and lost only three points on his serve in the set.
Those numbers made it impossible for Cazaux to even think about winning the set. On top of that, he faced two more break points, but he saved both. Still, that one-break advantage was enough for Auger-Aliassime to win the first set 6-4.
The Canadian started the second set ideally again, as Cazaux couldn't control his nerves and ball in the opening game. This time, however, the French player managed to break back to give the fans in Montpellier at least some show.
Although Cazaux then faced two more break points, he again saved both, and with both players then holding their serves without too many issues, the second set of this match had to be decided in a tie-break.
The home player started the tie-break much better. He had a two-mini-break advantage, leading already 5-2. It seemed like Cazaux would be able to force the decider, but that was only until his opponent stopped him.
Auger-Aliassime won five points in a row to win the tie-break of the second set 7-5 and win the match 6-4, 7-6(5). He secured a spot in the quarter-final, in which he will take on the eighth-seeded Yunchaokete Bu.
