Auger-Aliassime Battles Past Monfils in Indian Wells Farewell
Indian Wells, CA – Félix Auger-Aliassime advanced to the round of 32 at the BNP Paribas Open on Friday night, securing a hard-fought 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 victory over a determined Gaël Monfils in what is expected to be the Frenchman’s final appearance at the tournament.
A Vintage Performance from Monfils
The match, lasting two hours and twenty minutes, saw Monfils deliver a spirited performance, particularly in the opening set. The 39-year-old veteran displayed remarkable precision, committing only four unforced errors in the first set and narrowly taking the tiebreak 7-5.
“It’s crazy, he’s almost 40 years old, but he doesn’t move like he was 40,” Auger-Aliassime said after the match. Source: Provided Content
Auger-Aliassime, the ninth seed, adjusted his strategy in the subsequent sets, increasing his aggression and aiming for greater pace to push Monfils behind the baseline. This shift in tactics proved effective, allowing him to take control of the match.
Auger-Aliassime’s Recent Form
This victory continues a strong run of form for the 25-year-old Auger-Aliassime. He recently won the ATP 250 tournament in Montpellier and has a February record of 11-2, despite losses in the Rotterdam final and the Dubai semi-finals.
Monfils Receives a Standing Ovation
The crowd at Indian Wells showed their appreciation for Monfils throughout the match, offering frequent cheers and a warm standing ovation as he departed the court. The tournament organization also presented him with a gift to commemorate his final appearance.
Monfils finished the match with 12 aces and five double faults, winning 74% of points on his first serve.
Looking Ahead
Auger-Aliassime will next face the winner of the match between fellow Canadian Gabriel Diallo and Russia’s Andrey Rublev, the 17th seed. That match is scheduled for Saturday.
Mboko Advances in Both Singles and Doubles
Canada also saw success from Victoria Mboko on Friday. The 19-year-old from Toronto reached the third round of the WTA 1000 tournament with a 6-4, 7-6 (5) victory over Kimberly Birrell.
Mboko slammed seven aces and won 69% of her first serves. She also secured five breaks of serve.
In doubles, Mboko teamed up with Mirra Andreeva to defeat Élise Mertens and Shuai Zhang 6-4, 4-6, 10-8. The pair hit four aces and won 73% of points on their first serve.
FAQ
- What was the final score of the Auger-Aliassime vs. Monfils match? 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4
- Who will Auger-Aliassime play in the next round? The winner of Gabriel Diallo vs. Andrey Rublev.
- What other Canadian player had a successful day? Victoria Mboko advanced to the third round in both singles and doubles.
Pro Tip: Adjusting your strategy mid-match, as Auger-Aliassime did, is crucial for overcoming experienced opponents like Monfils.
Auger-Aliassime’s resilience and tactical adjustments proved to be the difference in a captivating encounter, marking a poignant farewell for Monfils and setting the stage for an exciting next round for the Canadian.