Auger-Aliassime’s Dominant Defense in Montpellier
From Australian Open cramps to indoor triumph, Felix Auger-Aliassime silenced skeptics with a break-free masterclass over Adrian Mannarino, etching a Canadian record on the Open Occitanie courts.
Felix Auger-Aliassime stepped back into the spotlight at the Open Occitanie in Montpellier, transforming recent setbacks into a commanding title defense. The top seed dismantled home favorite Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 7-6(4) in 96 minutes on Sunday afternoon, February 8, 2026, without facing a single break point. This victory marked his ninth tour-level title, eighth on indoor hard courts, and a personal milestone that reshaped his season’s narrative.
The Canadian’s path to the final showcased resilience, with straight-set wins over Stan Wawrinka, Arthur Fils, Titouan Droguet, and now Mannarino, securing back-to-back crowns in the south of France. He surged past Milos Raonic for the most ATP titles by a Canadian in the Open Era, while his 89 indoor wins this decade lead the tour. As confetti fell under the arena roof, Auger-Aliassime’s poise amid the crowd’s mixed cheers signaled a player rediscovering his edge.
“Adrian is always a very tough opponent to play, for all players, I think,“ said Auger-Aliassime in his on-court interview. ”That’s why myself and all our peers on Tour have so much respect for him and the challenge he poses on the court. I knew it was going to be a tough match today, so I’m very happy. It’s amazing emotions to win again here. I’m thrilled with my whole week and especially today.”
FAAbulous title defence @OpenOccitanie | #OpenOccitanie26 | @felixtennis pic.twitter.com/IoUusPDBlC
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 8, 2026
Blistering opener breaks Mannarino early
Auger-Aliassime exploded out of the blocks, claiming the first eight points with aggressive returns and deep groundstrokes that exploited the indoor pace. His heavy topspin forehand down-the-line sealed the second break at 5-3, forcing Mannarino into defensive slices that lacked bite. The 25-year-old’s footwork redirected the Frenchman’s flat shots into opportunities for inside-out winners, closing the set 6-3 as the local crowd hushed.
This fast start stemmed from targeted preparation, where low underspin approaches neutralized Mannarino’s low-trajectory lefty game. The Canadian’s rhythm built momentum, turning the humid arena into his domain without dropping a service game. By set’s end, his confidence rippled through the stands, setting a tone of unyielding control.
Tiebreak grit overcomes late resistance
The second set locked into a serve-heavy battle, with both players holding firm until Auger-Aliassime carved out a championship point at 5-4, 30/40 after a crosscourt backhand rally forced an error. Mannarino erased it with an unreturnable serve, pushing the decider to a tiebreak where the Canadian trailed 2/4 before unleashing five straight points. Aces and a net-rushing volley capped the 7-6(4) surge, giving him a 2-1 head-to-head edge.
His serve proved unbreakable, winning 87 per cent of first-serve points (39/45) with 13 aces that pierced the air, per ATP Stats. This indoor affinity buffered the echoes of his Australian Open retirement due to cramp, replacing vulnerability with tactical poise. The victory’s tempo—explosive early, resolute late—mirrored his growth under pressure.
Canadian record fuels Rotterdam charge
Auger-Aliassime’s Montpellier run not only rebuilt belief but positioned him for the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam, where he’ll enter at No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings after a two-spot rise on Monday. The week’s dominance, from drop shots pulling Wawrinka forward to body serves jamming Mannarino, honed adjustments for the European indoor swing. As he leaves France with the @OpenOccitanie #OpenOccitanie26 trophy and @felixtennis buzz, this defense feels like the launchpad for deeper runs ahead.
