Miami (USA) – Responsible for the elimination of Thiago Monteiro from Ceará in the second round of the Miami Masters 1000, Felix Auger-Aliassime was full of praise for the Brazilian, who gave him a lot of work in both sets of the dispute, taking the two to the tiebreaker. The Canadian, who saved a set point in the second half, celebrated the 2-0 win, preventing the battle from dragging on any longer.

“After the first set, I felt a little better. I managed to have chances, I dictated the game and I kept trying, I evolved and I stayed positive. I think that was the key today. Unfortunately, I couldn’t finish at 6-4 (in the tie-break of the second set) because of a double fault, but honestly, during the whole match, I felt good, ”analyzed the Canadian.

“Given the conditions, there was a lot of wind, I managed to serve well in the important points,” added Aliassime, who beat Monteiro for the third time in three matches, repeating the US Open feat. in 2020 and Wimbledon in 2021.

The Canadian highlighted the work provided by the Brazilian in both sets. “I kind of found a way to beat him, because the match started to get really long. Two sets and over 2:40, it was the longest two-set match I’ve played in my entire life. career. Monteiro is a great rival, a great fighter and nothing was easy on the pitch today. It was very complicated and gave me work,” he said.

“Thiago and I always had great battles, at the end of the second set I think it was difficult for both of us, with the heat and physically. In the end I had more chances, but he did great serves, unbelievable forehands, took the energy from the crowd and played at his best when he needed to. It was very electrifying to have that crowd in my first game here,” added Aliassime.