Gael Monfils Defeats Felix Auger-Aliassime To Defend His ATP Rotterdam Title

The Frenchman Gael Monfils boarded to play for his second consecutive ATP title in the Netherlands. And the young Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime was playing his fourth ATP finals (and the first one on hard) and was in the quest of his first career title.

Gael Monfils swept aside Auger-Aliassime 6-2, 6-4 and defended his Dutch title at ATP Rotterdam 2020 in his ninth consecutive match victory on the ATP Tour. 

First set: Error-strewn tennis from Felix Auger-Aliassime

Auger-Aliassime opened the title match by holding his serve to 15. In the next game, Monfils produced a flurry of unforced errors and held his serve at 1-1 after tackling a deuce.

Three unforced errors from Felix gave Gael three break chances. With the teenager coming up with massive forehands and an overhead smash, all of them were erased. Followed by a volley and a hefty cross-court forehand Auger-Aliassime led by 2-1.

Courageous play from FAA!

Later, Monfils quickly wrapped up his service game at 2-2. In the subsequent game, despite producing some breathtaking shots, Felix was erratic while playing on big points. He held game points but squandered them with unforced errors.

Another error gave Monfils a break chance, with the Frenchman sprinting towards the drop shot, Gael came up a solid backhand and led by a break at 3-2.

Felix had a break back point in the next game, but a few centimeters wide forehand dissolved the chance and Monfils swiftly consolidated for a 4-2 lead.

With Felix’s unforced errors and double faults persisting in the match, Monfils encountered multiple chances for a double break lead. He was just returning the Canadian’s shots, with Felix coming up with a wide forehand, the French player led by 5-2.  He sealed the set 6-2 in 40 minutes, as Auger-Aliassime couldn’t return his serves. 

Second set: Gael Monfils defended his Dutch title!

The Canadian displayed a similar game of tennis the second set. Auger-Aliassime couldn’t control his unforced errors and Monfils comfortably lead by 2-0.  

World Number nine Monfils again received three break points at 3-1 and with Felix placing a forehand on the other side of the tramlines, Gael Monfils led by 4-1. Thereafter, it was one-way traffic on Gael’s road.

Reflexes from Gael Monfils!

While Monfils was serving for the championship at 5-2, the set deviated from normal. The Canadian played some incredible tennis and saved four match points and kept action on-going at 5-3.

Felix served out to stay in the match at 5-4.  But Monfils was once again serving for his title in Rotterdam and finally closed out the match on the fifth match point.

Champion!!