Félix Auger-Aliassime’s clay season began poorly with an early exit at the Monte-Carlo Masters, losing in straight sets to Daniel Altmaier. Despite a strong start, Auger-Aliassime faltered, ultimately succumbing 7-6 (5), 6-3. This defeat marks Altmaier’s second victory over him on the ATP circuit. Auger-Aliassime’s recent struggles continue, having lost four of his last five matches and failing to reach beyond the second round in Monte-Carlo over six attempts.
Félix Auger-Aliassime’s Monte-Carlo Tournament Disappointment
Félix Auger-Aliassime’s clay season got off to a rocky start as he faced an unexpected defeat against a qualifier in the prestigious Masters 1000 event in Monte-Carlo on Monday. The 16th seed exited early, losing to Germany’s Daniel Altmaier in straight sets, with scores of 7-6 (5) and 6-3, in a match that lasted just under two hours.
This marks the second time that the world number 84 has triumphed over Auger-Aliassime on the ATP circuit, having previously defeated him in Auckland, New Zealand, last year, with a scoreline of 7-6 (9) and 7-5. Each encounter showcased Altmaier’s unwavering determination, as he played with remarkable confidence against a higher-ranked opponent.
Match Highlights and Performance Analysis
During the match, the 26-year-old Altmaier capitalized on Félix’s inconsistent backhand, demonstrating impressive counter-attacks and executing some exquisite drop shots that kept Auger-Aliassime on his toes. The Quebec native began the match positively, racing to a 4-1 lead, but soon found himself in trouble as Altmaier seized the momentum to win the first set in a tightly contested tiebreak.
In the second set, Auger-Aliassime again started strong with an early break, but he soon lost his advantage, dropping five consecutive games. As he trailed 5-3, he faced a critical moment with three break points to stay in the match. However, Altmaier held his nerve, ultimately securing a third victory on the clay courts of Monte-Carlo.
Despite the loss, there were some positive takeaways for Auger-Aliassime, including a solid first serve percentage of 71%, compared to Altmaier’s 63%. He also won 67% of his net points. Both players recorded 23 winners, but Félix’s 16 unforced errors weighed heavily on his performance, while Altmaier managed only seven.
Auger-Aliassime, who has struggled lately, losing four of his last five matches, has yet to find success in Monte-Carlo, having never advanced past the second round in six attempts. As Altmaier prepares to face Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the next round, Auger-Aliassime will need to regroup and focus on improving his game moving forward.
In a similar fate, Denis Shapovalov’s journey in Monte-Carlo ended prematurely as well. The 29th-ranked player fell to American Marcos Giron, ranked 45th, with a score of 6-3 and 7-6 (5). Shapovalov managed to convert only one of his six break point opportunities, while Giron was flawless in his two chances. Giron will now face British player Jack Draper, the fifth seed and recent Indian Wells champion, in the second round.