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Reuters
Reuters
Sport

Monfils fells Auger-Aliassime to defend Rotterdam Open crown

Tennis - ATP 500 - ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands - February 16, 2020 France's Gael Monfils poses with his plate as he celebrates winning the final against Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime REUTERS/Eva Plevier

Gael Monfils won his second title in the space of seven days on Sunday as he swatted aside Canadian teenager Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-2 6-4 in a lopsided Rotterdam Open final to retain the trophy.

The 33-year-old Frenchman, who came into the tournament on the back of a record-equalling third triumph in Montpellier the previous Sunday, converted four out of 11 break points as he denied his 19-year-old opponent a maiden ATP title.

"You're young, you'll improve fast and you'll win this tournament and other tournaments, so keep going," Monfils told Auger-Aliassime.

Tennis - ATP 500 - ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands - February 16, 2020 France's Gael Monfils in action during his final match against Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime REUTERS/Eva Plevier

"I'm super happy... it's been an amazing week for me."

It was a 10th career title for world number nine Monfils, who improved his win-loss record in the tournament to 14-1 with his only defeat coming to Slovakia's Martin Klizan in the final four years ago.

It was a disappointing day for Auger-Aliassime, who had made history by becoming the youngest finalist in the event, dropping only one set en route to the title clash.

Tennis - ATP 500 - ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands - February 16, 2020 France's Gael Monfils celebrates after winning his final match against Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime REUTERS/Eva Plevier

He made 12 unforced forehand errors as Monfils broke early to race to a 4-2 lead before easing through the opening set.

Monfils overcame a minor blip when he was broken while ahead 5-2 in the second, but Auger-Aliassime was unable to stage a late comeback and force a decider as the Frenchman held firm to seal the contest on his fifth championship point.

Tennis - ATP 500 - ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands - February 16, 2020 France's Gael Monfils holds his plate as he celebrates winning the final alongside Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime who was runner up REUTERS/Eva Plevier

(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Ian Chadband)

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