Canadian tennis player Felix Auger-Aliassime successfully defended his Open Occitanie championship by defeating France’s Adrian Mannarino in the final with a scoreline of 6-3, 7-6 (4) on Sunday. Auger-Aliassime clinched the victory by winning five consecutive points in the tiebreak, highlighted by his 13th ace to take a crucial 5-4 lead before securing the next two points on return. His powerful serves were instrumental, allowing him to win 87% of his first-serve points.
After the match, Auger-Aliassime praised Mannarino as a formidable opponent, acknowledging the respect players have for him and his career. He expressed his satisfaction with the challenging match and his joy in winning the tournament once again, stating, “It’s amazing to win here again, I’m thrilled with my whole week and especially today.”
Auger-Aliassime’s victory marked him as the second man to successfully defend his title in Montpellier, a feat previously achieved only by Richard Gasquet. With this win, the 25-year-old Montreal native claimed his ninth ATP singles title, surpassing retired player Milos Raonic as the Canadian with the most men’s singles titles in the Open Era.
Entering the tournament as the top seed and ranked eighth in the world, Auger-Aliassime also solidified his position as the player with the most indoor wins on the ATP Tour this decade, totaling 89 wins. His rival in the final, Mannarino, who received a wild card entry, had previously reached a career-high ranking of No. 17 in early 2024 but had since dropped out of the top 100, arriving at the tournament ranked 70th.
In head-to-head matchups, Auger-Aliassime now leads Mannarino 2-1. The Canadian’s continued success on the ATP Tour showcases his talent and determination as he remains a prominent figure in men’s tennis.
