In just a month entering 2025, Felix Auger-Aliassime made the most of his campaign as he claimed his seventh title and is now a two-time champion after he managed to defeat Kovacevic, sealing a hard-fought three-set thriller that saw the Canadian outlast the ordeal, 6-2, 6-7(7), 7-6(2).

This marks Auger-Aliassime’s maiden tour final, and he capped it off with a huge victory after proving his critics wrong, overcoming his early struggles and closing out the final with the bang. The Canadian clinched the win with an ace out wide, roaring his arms above and celebrating his huge success after what has been a storied campaign for him so far.

The victory puts Auger-Aliassime’s tally to a total of seven ATP Tour championships, and six of those have come from indoor games. That includes one at the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam, where he is expected to compete at a high level next week and carry the same pace that he’s been riding so far.

A Battle to the Top

Felix Auger-Aliassime’s journey to victory in the Montpellier final on Sunday was anything but straightforward, especially after he looked dominant in the opening set. The Canadian initially surged ahead, winning five straight games from 1-2 down, taking control early on. However, the second set proved much more competitive, with both players tightening up their service games. Neither player managed to create any break-point opportunities, leading the set to a tense tie-break.

In the breaker, Auger-Aliassime had two opportunities to clinch the title. He first held a championship point at 6-5 on return and then again at 7-6 while serving. Despite the pressure, Kovacevic held firm, playing aggressively to win three consecutive points, ultimately leveling the match at one set apiece.

“For sure, the craziest final I have played, whether I won or lost,” said Auger-Aliassime in his on-court interview. “It was a crazy match. I couldn’t have got a better start. I was feeling good, but credit to Aleks, he raised his level. I think it was a very high level on both ends, serving well. This match deserved to go three sets with the way he was playing in the second.”

The third set followed a similar pattern, with both men holding serve throughout, although Kovacevic did manage to create a break-point chance at 5-5. However, Auger-Aliassime managed to stave off that threat and served out the game to edge ahead 6-5. After Kovacevic failed to capitalize on his break-point opportunity, Auger-Aliassime maintained his composure and came through in a second-set tie-break, clinching the win and securing the title.

Different Paths Converge

While Kovacevic was understandably disappointed to fall just short of claiming his first ATP title, he can certainly take pride in his remarkable run to the final. The American had an outstanding week in Montpellier, earning five of his six victories in straight sets, including several impressive wins in the qualifying rounds. His strong performance throughout the tournament will see him rise to a career-high ATP ranking of No. 75, a well-deserved reward for his efforts.

For Auger-Aliassime, the win marked another important milestone in his career, showcasing his resilience and mental toughness, especially after an early scare in the final. As both players reflect on their performances, Kovacevic's rise in the rankings and Auger-Aliassime’s steady progression solidified the sense that both men are on the cusp of greater success in the coming months.