In a thrilling showdown at the Open Occitanie in Montpellier, Felix Auger-Aliassime put an end to the impressive run of French qualifier Titouan Droguet. This captivating semi-final match saw Auger-Aliassime, the top seed and reigning champion, elevate his performance during the crucial final set, ultimately securing a hard-fought victory with scores of 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1.
With this win, Auger-Aliassime advanced to his 21st final at the tour level and his 13th in indoor conditions. Notably, seven out of his eight career titles have been clinched indoors, and he boasts an impressive record of 87 match victories under such circumstances—making him the leader on the ATP Tour for match wins indoors this decade.
"Even when I was playing the second set, I had a feeling that my opportunity would arise," reflected the 25-year-old Canadian star, who faced off against the powerful serve of Droguet. "Winning the first set gave me some time to strategize on how to break his serve. My serving improved significantly in the third set, and I believe my returns on his second serves were better as well. I was striking the ball cleanly and targeting my shots effectively."
Droguet, competing in his first semi-final at the tour level and facing a Top 10 player for the first time, showcased his talent by forcing a decisive third set. He executed a stunning topspin lob at a critical moment during the second-set tie-break at 5/5, which contributed to his impressive tally of 14 aces throughout the match.
However, after staving off two break points at 1-1 in the third set, Auger-Aliassime surged ahead, winning five consecutive games to clinch the match. Impressively, he saved all three break points he faced during the contest, converting three out of his ten chances to break Droguet's serve, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
Having defeated both Arthur Fils and Droguet in successive matches, Auger-Aliassime now prepares to battle another French contender in the final: Adrian Mannarino.
"I really enjoy it. Playing in this kind of atmosphere is fantastic," said the World No. 8, expressing his excitement about the lively crowd support during the matches against French players. "It’s always a much more rewarding experience to compete in front of an engaged audience rather than an empty arena. It’s truly amazing!"
The anticipation builds as the final matchup is set. Felix Auger-Aliassime will take on Adrian Mannarino for the coveted Montpellier title.
On the other side of the bracket, Mannarino triumphed over American qualifier Martin Damm with a score of 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, marking a spectacular comeback after a sluggish start. This victory propelled the 37-year-old Frenchman into his 16th final at the tour level and his first ever on home soil. Currently, he holds the title of the oldest finalist in the tournament’s history and has climbed to No. 51 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.
"It was definitely a tough match," Mannarino admitted. "Damm was putting a lot of pressure on me right from the beginning. I needed to give it my all. I spotted a small opening in the second set and seized it, and I managed to replicate that scenario in the third set. It was quite a wild ride!"
Mannarino, a five-time champion on the tour, is now aiming to secure his first title since his victory in Sofia back in 2023. This Sunday, he will take to the court for his first final since that win.
Damm’s journey through the qualifying rounds at this ATP 250 event included some remarkable upsets over notable players such as Hubert Hurkacz and Roberto Bautista Agut, both victories coming in straight sets. At just 22 years old, he reached the semi-finals by defeating Luca Nardi, leaving Montpellier with a commendable rise to No. 130 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, gaining 30 spots.
