It was a perfect day for Canadians in singles.
Following Victoria Mboko’s victory earlier in the day, Félix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov ended Friday’s action with three-set wins to move on to the BNP Paribas Open third round.
Auger-Aliassime had to battle a very Gael Monfils-favoured crowd, but the Canadian No. 1 kept his cool to take down the flashy Frenchman.
Auger-Aliassime won 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 in the BNP Paribas Open second round on Friday, getting revenge on behalf of his United Cup teammate Alexis Galarneau who was ousted by Monfils in round one.
The 25-year-old from Montreal didn't hold a break point in the opening set, but all his five came in the second and third. Auger-Aliassime converted on two of those opportunities and was effective when facing break points on his delivery, saving the only two he faced in the match.
Both players put on a strong serving display throughout the first set. After saving break point in his opening service game, Auger-Aliassime went on to win 89 per cent of his first-serve points leading up to the tiebreaker, firing nine aces in the process. Monfils also had a tricky first hold but conceded just three service points the rest of the way.
At 3-3 in the tiebreak, the Canadian’s backhand landed wide after the lengthy rally, giving Monfils what would be the decisive mini-break. The Frenchman stayed perfect on serve to take the opening set.
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However, in the second, Auger-Aliassime managed to find his rhythm on return. The Montrealer held his first break points at 1-2, 15-40, but Monfils served well to eventually secure the hold.
Auger-Aliassime’s next break opportunity came shortly after at 2-3 and, on this occasion, the world No. 9 converted. After a love hold, the Canuck led 5-2.
When serving for the set, Auger-Aliassime had some work to do at 5-3, love-30, but some textbook serving led him to the equalizer.
The Canadian No. 1 then showed why the ATP named him last year’s ‘Mr. Clutch.’ Auger-Aliassime – who won a 2025-best 20 deciding-set matches – took an early advantage of the third, winning 11-straight points from 0-1, love-15, to lead 2-1, 40-love. The 25-year-old held on the third try to increase the gap to 3-1.
Auger-Aliassime spent under five minutes on his delivery through his next two service games as he looked to remain on cruise control when serving for the match at 5-4.
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Monfils brought the crowd to their feet with some powerful play, but Auger-Aliassime stayed composed, holding match point at 40-30. The Canadian watched as the Frenchman’s forehand sailed long, bringing the contest to an end.
Gabriel Diallo now has the chance to set up an all-Canadian clash in round three. The winner of Saturday’s match between Diallo and Andrey Rublev will meet Auger-Aliassime.
Shapovalov Wins Third-Set Tiebreaker to Defeat Etcheverry, Sets Up Sinner Clash
Denis Shapovalov had the longest match of the day, but the Canadian No. 3 defeated No. 29 seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(5) in the BNP Paribas Open second round on Friday.
The 26-year-old from Richmond Hill was the aggressor through most of the two-and-a-half-hour match. His 49 unforced errors did come with 43 winners as Shapovalov won five return points in the third-set tiebreaker to book his ticket into the last 32.
Shapovalov had to survive a lengthy opening service game to escape the early deficit. The Canadian had to fend off break point and eventually held after ten minutes on serve. The 26-year-old returned the favour in the fourth game, holding double break point at 1-2, 15-40, but Etcheverry fired two unreturned serves to save, later avoiding the loss of serve in the nine-minute game.
Shapovalov then took over in the later half of the set. At 3-3, the Richmond Hillian won 11 points on the fly to set him up with triple set point at 5-3, 40-love. Etcheverry couldn’t handle the Shapovalov delivery as the Canuck sealed the opener.
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To start the second, Shapovalov was put under quite a bit of pressure. Etcheverry converted on his first two break points of the set, bringing the Argentine 4-0 in front. Shapovalov managed to break back to cut into the deficit but was broken again at 2-5 as the match went to a decisive set.
The Canadian teased the crucial break to begin the third, holding a total of six break points over Etcheverry’s first three service games but Shapovalov failed to convert on any.
The Richmond Hillian was the more aggressive of the two throughout the set, unleashing 19 winners as the match needed a decisive tiebreaker. Neither player was able to consolidate their mini-break till Shapovalov did so at 3-4. The Canuck won the next two points on return to lead 5-4 and wrapped up the match with another mini-break at 5-6.
Shapovalov’s next task is world No. 2 Jannik Sinner in round three on Sunday.
Feature Photo: Sarah-Jade Champagne
