Team World's streak continues: Auger-Aliassime's spectacular performance overpowers Monfils in Laver Cup

Felix Auger-Aliassime extends Team World's streak by defeating Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-3

A clash between two players with a 14-year age difference: local World No. 14 Felix Auger-Aliassime, 22 years old, facing off against World No. 142 Gael Monfils, 36 years old.

The only previous encounter they had was in the 2020 Rotterdam Open final, where the Frenchman claimed the title with a score of 6-2, 6-4.

Both players showed that they were comfortable with the indoor hard court conditions and began the first set evenly, each holding their service games. Monfils had a slightly better first-serve percentage (59% compared to Auger-Aliassime's 50%), but the Canadian's effectiveness was nearly absolute with 87% compared to his opponent's 68%.

The former World No. 6 Frenchman engaged in a discussion with Auger-Aliassime after the latter talked to the umpire because Monfils was taking a long time to get ready between service games.

The situation had Monfils taking multiple breaks in discussion and appeared distracted in the tenth game, conceding his service game to Auger-Aliassime, who took the set 6-4.

In the second set, things didn't calm down, and it started with Auger-Aliassime saving three break points against him. In the following game, he capitalized on the second break opportunity his opponent gave him and won the game, taking a 3-0 lead with his service game.

Both players displayed confidence in their service games from then on and didn't give their opponent any break point opportunities, allowing the Canadian to maintain his advantage and ultimately win the match 6-4, 6-3.

This marks Team World's third consecutive victory in the first three matches. So far, in the three singles matches played, Ben Shelton defeated Arthur Fils (7-6, 6-1), and Francisco Cerúndolo overcame Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (6-3, 7-5).

Team World has started strongly in their bid to defend the title and currently leads 3-0, with only the doubles match remaining to conclude the day. In the final matchup, Andrey Rublev and Arthur Fils will challenge the North American duo of Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe