Felix Auger-Aliassime continued his stellar start to the 2025 season with a commanding 6-4, 7-6(4) victory over Jesper De Jong in the semifinals of the Open Sud de France. The Canadian, who has been rediscovering his best form, is now set to compete in his 17th career ATP final as he looks to add another title to his resurgent campaign.
A Rising Star Meets an Experienced Challenger
For De Jong, ranked 131st in the world, this match was a huge milestone. The Dutchman had never reached an ATP quarterfinal before this week, let alone a semifinal. However, he put up a spirited fight against the more experienced Auger-Aliassime, who has been in fine form after a tough 2024 season.
Auger-Aliassime, currently ranked 23rd, struggled for consistency last year but has started 2025 with a bang. After winning the title in Adelaide, he has carried that momentum into Montpellier, where his strong performances on indoor hard courts continue to shine. Five of his six ATP titles have come on this surface, and his confidence was on full display against De Jong.
How the Match Unfolded
The opening set was a test of patience and precision. Both players held serve comfortably early on, but Auger-Aliassime began applying pressure in the fifth game, forcing De Jong to save four break points. The breakthrough came in the seventh game when the Canadian finally secured a crucial break. He then held his nerve to close out the set 6-4.
The second set was much tighter. De Jong showed resilience, breaking Auger-Aliassime’s serve in the fourth game, only to be immediately broken back. The Dutchman did well to push the set into a tiebreak, but Auger-Aliassime found another gear when it mattered most. The Canadian dominated the tiebreak 7-4, sealing the straight-sets win and booking his spot in the final.
Auger-Aliassime’s Comeback Story Continues
After a disappointing early exit at the Australian Open, Auger-Aliassime has bounced back impressively. His 8-1 record for the season reflects his determination to re-establish himself among the sport’s elite. With a chance to claim his second title of 2025, he will now face either top seed Andrey Rublev or American qualifier Aleksandar Kovacevic in the final.
A victory in Montpellier would further cement his resurgence and bring him closer to a return to the ATP’s top 20. With his confidence soaring, Auger-Aliassime is proving that he is once again a serious contender on the tour—and men’s tennis is all the better for it.
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