World no. 23 Felix Auger-Aliassime claimed the ATP 250 title in Montpellier. The Canadian ousted the first-time ATP finalist Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-2, 6-7, 7-6 in two hours and 39 minutes for his seventh ATP trophy and the second of the season after Adelaide.
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The American qualified for the main draw and defeated the top seed, Andrey Rublev, in the semi-final. Thus, Kovacevic delivered his first victory over the opponents from the elite group and reached his first ATP final.
Aleksandar gave everything against the better-ranked rival. He overcame a slow start and extended the battle, earning a chance to lift a trophy. Felix denied a crucial break point in the 11th game of the decider and claimed the tie break 7-2 to emerge at the top.
Auger-Aliassime secured his sixth indoor hard title, extending his fantasticrun on hisfavorite surface.
Felix fired 19 aces and faced the only break point in the final service game of the match. He saved and kept the pressure on the other side. Aleksandar suffered two breaks in the opening set and recovered his game in the following two to follow the rival's pace.
The Canadian outplayed the American on serve and return in the first set, rattling off five games from 1-2 for a perfect score. The better-ranked player stepped in on the return at 2-2 and landed a backhand winner for a break and the advantage.
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World no. 23 landed a forehand down the line winner in the seventh game for another break and a 5-2 lead. Auger-Aliassime held at 30 in game eight, bringing the opener home in style. Kovacevic raised his level in the second set and stayed in touch.
They produced 12 fine holds and introduced a tie break. Felix fired a forehand winner at 5-5 and earned a match point. Aleksandar saved it with a service winner and cracked a backhand down the line winner on the second at 6-7.
The American welcomed the rival's forehand error on a set point, taking the breaker 9-7 and improving his chances. They survived deuces in three games of the final set to level the score at 4-4. Aleksandar served to stay in the match at 4-5 and held at love for more drama.
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Felix squandered game points at 5-5 and faced a break point. He denied it with a service winner and held for more drama. Kovacevic produced a hold at love in game 12 and introduced a deciding tie break.
The Canadian secured two early mini-breaks for 3-0 after the rival's backhand error. The lower-ranked player pulled them back before dropping two more points on serve, sending world no. 23 5-2 up. Auger-Aliassime landed two powerful serves, sealing the deal on the first match point and lifting a trophy.
