Monfils Wins Second Straight Title, Beats Auger-Aliassime In Rotterdam

Gael Monfils won his second title in as many weeks taking down Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-2, 6-4 to claim the Rotterdam crown.

Monfils, who just won Montpellier last Sunday, has won his last nine matches, and he swept through Rotterdam without dropping a set.

“It’s an amazing feeling for the first time for me to back it up, year after year, week after week,” said Monfils who reached the Rotterdam final in 2016. “It is a different feeling I have never experienced in my career, so I feel grateful.”

The 33-year-old Monfils now has 10 career titles, seven coming indoors.

“It was a passive match from me,” said Monfils. “I chose to be in defense quite a lot… I knew, physically, it would be tough for him to come through me. I was doing this great… At the end, I was very pleased with my service.”

Auger-Aliassime was appearing in his first ATP final since last June in Stuttgart. The 19-year-old Canadian falls to 0-4 in finals, 0-8 in sets.

“The week has been good, encouraging,” said Auger-Aliassime. “It is the start of the season and the second month I’ve played. It is encouraging for what is next but I will have to keep working well, doing the adjustments I need to do and keep believing, keep pushing to give myself chances to play matches like these.”