Auger-Aliassime defends Montpellier title for Canada-record ninth title – Tennis Now
By Richard Pagliaro Sunday, February 8, 2026
Photo credit: Occitanie Open
Felix Auger-Aliassime Under the ceiling is unparalleled.
Today, Auger-Aliassime emerges as King of Canada in Montpellier.
Top seed Auger-Aliassime scored five straight points in the final to top the list Adrian Manarino 6-3, 7-6(4) Successfully defended the Montpellier title and created glorious history in the process.
It was Auger-Aliassime’s ninth career title – the most by a Canadian man in the Open era – including his eighth indoor title. Auger-Aliassime broke the Canadian Championship record he shared with former world No. 3 Milos Raonic, who officially retired last month.
The victory jumped Auger-Aliassime to sixth place in the rankings, and he only lost serve once in the match.
“We are an individual sport, but I have a lot of people behind me both at home and behind me,” Auger-Aliassime said later. “I’m not exactly French, but I speak French and I feel very welcome here. Thanks to the support of the crowd here. I always feel that in France and it’s a pleasure for me.”
The 25-year-old Auger-Aliassime leads all ATP players in indoor wins this decade (89) and has defeated three French players in a row – qualifier sixth seed Arthur Fels Tituan Droghe and Mannarino – becoming the second player to successfully defend Montpellier’s title after Richard Gasquet in 2015-2016.
On the same day, Auger-Aliassime, who withdrew from the Australian Open opener against Nuno Borges due to cramps, hit 78% of his serve, hit 13 aces, made 1 double fault, and did not face a break point. In the past two games, Auger-Aliassime had 33 aces and only one double fault.
After a hot start, Auger-Aliassime scored eight points in a row to hold on for a 2-0 love break.
The top-seeded Canadian dominated the center of the court, driving his forehand off the court and even hitting the ball to the baseline with his backhand. Auger-Aliassime has won three of his first six games in Love.
Auger-Aliassime was out of service and hit a forehand return diagonal break at 15 minutes to seal the first set with a break.
The 37-year-old Mannarino, the oldest finalist in the tournament’s history, fended off three match points as he defeated compatriot Hugo Humbert in today’s match.
The 70th-ranked Frenchman maintained his serving rhythm throughout the first eight games of the second set.
Auger-Aliassime showed explosive athletic ability and smashed the ball to complete another love-serve with a 5-4 lead.
The crafty Mannarino deflected his left-handed serve on the offensive end, displacing the Canadian and creating court space for his forehand. Leading 4-5, Mannarino used his favorite forehand across Auger-Aliassime to erase match point and tie the game at 5.
Mannarino scored consecutive backhand volley winners, including a beautiful high backhand volley angle, which helped him secure the decider.
When stealing the ball, Mannarino’s return missed slightly and formed a sharp angle, allowing Auger-Aliassime to rush out of the sideline. Mannarino hit a forehand from the baseline to get a small break and a 3-2 lead. Mannarino took a 4-2 lead outside the serve, but this was the French veteran’s last ditch effort.
Auger-Aliassime made continuous defensive cuts in the low post, and then suddenly broke into the forehand pass to chase the score to 3-4.
The 2025 US Open semifinalist hit his 13th ace to lead 5-4. Auger-Aliassime won the subsequent 19-pole rally to gain two more championship points.
Auger-Aliassime danced around his backhand, hit a diagonal forehand, stepped in and hit a forehand winner to seal the 95-minute victory.
Auger-Aliassime jumped over the court with joy.
The man nicknamed Felix Le Cat erupted into a celebratory scream as he celebrated his ninth career title, which included his eighth indoor title.
