Félix Auger-Aliassime didn’t find any major flaws in Brazilian Thiago Monteiro’s game, but he came away with a comfortable 7-6(5), 7-6(8) win in the second round of the Miami tennis tournament on Saturday.
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Neither side achieved a break of service in this match, so the tie-break was necessary in both sets. The Quebecer retired from the game by managing to steal some points from the 28-year-old player.
“These weren’t obvious downwind conditions. I think it was difficult for both of us, but I was the player who found the solution in the end. It could easily have been three sentences. Despite everything, I think I had the upper hand in both sets,” Auger-Aliassime admitted on the court in a post-match interview.
The Brazilian fought very well despite the obvious difference between the two players’ rankings. Monteiro, 81st, has never made the ATP Top 50. He saved five break points but could never afford one at the expense of Auger-Aliassime.
“I served a little better and gave myself more chances in return. If I kept moving forward to give myself chances, I would have a chance to win,” added the young man, proud of his achievement.
The fifth-placed player in the Florida event played his first game this week due to his first-round bye. He showed some signs of rust on serve with seven double faults and a mere 54% first serve success rate. He recovered well with 12 aces.
This is the first time the two men have crossed swords in a tournament other than a Grand Slam. Auger-Aliassime emerged victorious from their two duels, in Wimbledon in 2021 and at the United States Open last year.
In the third round, “FAA” meets Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo, who is seeded in 25th place.