Felix Auger-Aliassime continued his strong start to the European indoor season by successfully defending his Open Occitanie title in Montpellier, defeating France’s Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 7-6(4) in Sunday’s final.
The top seed delivered a composed performance against the home favourite, combining powerful serving with steady baseline play to claim his second consecutive title at the tournament. Auger-Aliassime took early control by winning the opening eight points and never allowed Mannarino to dictate the pace for long stretches of the match.
Mannarino responded with resilience, saving a championship point and forcing a second-set tiebreak. However, Auger-Aliassime showed his composure under pressure, winning five straight points from 4-2 down to close out the contest and secure the trophy.
The victory marked a significant milestone in Canadian tennis history. With nine ATP singles titles, Auger-Aliassime has now surpassed Milos Raonic as the most decorated Canadian men’s player of the Open Era. It also highlights his transformation in finals, having turned an early-career 0-7 record into nine tour-level victories.
Indoor hard courts continue to be his most successful surface, with eight of his nine titles coming indoors. After the match, he expressed satisfaction with his performance throughout the week, saying he was pleased with both his level and consistency.
The Montpellier triumph also signals a strong response to a difficult start to the season. Auger-Aliassime was forced to retire in the first round of the Australian Open due to cramps, raising questions about his early form. His title defense in France has since provided a clear answer.
The win is set to lift the 25-year-old back to world No. 6 in the ATP rankings, placing him within reach of the Top 5. With confidence restored and momentum building, Auger-Aliassime now looks well positioned for the upcoming stretch of the season.
