GAEL Monfils has finally broken a drought that the successful top 10 Frenchman has been unable to shake since turning professional in 2004. The 33-year-old had never won two tournaments in a calendar year, with his eight previous titles spread out between 2005-2019, eight of which came in 2009 or later. Last week he won his ninth title at Montpellier and headed into the World Tennis Tournament as reigning champ, and with plenty of upsets across the board, never faltered on his way to the title. In winning back-to-back titles at Rotterdam, Monfils broke his own personal drought to win two in a calendar year – remarkably two in as many weeks.

On this occasion, Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime was the victim, defeating the 19-year-old in straight sets, 6-2 6-4 in 86 minutes of play. His serving was more consistent than his younger opponent, producing five aces and winning 71 and 55 per cent of his first and second points. He broke four times to one and always kept Auger-Aliassime at a distance, capitalising off the Canadian’s serve with a 61 per cent winning record. It was a solid effort from the young talent, but he is not quite consistent enough across tournaments just yet, and is still searching for his maiden title after a breakout year last year. He has at least moved up to 19th in the world from this run to the final, and is only two places behind his career high of 17th from October last year.