Félix Auger-Aliassime previews Carlos Alcaraz second-round clash in Monte Carlo

As a former world No. 6, Félix Auger-Aliassime is used to facing off against the game’s best players. But unseeded and peparing to face world No. 3 Carlos Acaraz in the second round of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, the Canadian admitted he’d prefer more of a running start.

“I used to play these guys later in the draw, but that’s a reality I’m facing now,” said the now-No. 35, who is close to his lowest ranking since 2019. “That’s all right: I need to get through these matches and I need to win some of them. Again, it’s a good challenge, and that’s what I play for. I like to win the other matches but when you play guys like him, Sinner, Zverev, these are the guys you want to play and beat.

“I’m sure there’s other guys he’d rather play for his first match on clay, as well!” Auger-Aliassime added with a laugh.

Indeed, the 23-year-old still maintains a winning head-to-head against the younger Alcaraz, having won the first three matches of their rivalry. Alcaraz has gotten the better of Auger-Aliassime in their last two meetings, including one at the BNP Paribas Open last month.

Both heralded as dynamic young talents, Alcaraz has largely made good on that potential with a pair of Grand Slam titles and multiple stints atop the ATP rankings, but Auger-Aliassime has stalled since ending the 2022 season at his career-high ranking, reaching just one Masters 1000 quarterfinal in the last two years.

Auger-Aliassime nonetheless had reasons to feel optimistic during his visit to to the Tennis Channel Live Desk, fresh off a comprehensive victory over Luca Nardi. Nardi famously stunned Novak Djokovic at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden last month, but Auger-Aliassime lapped the young Italian in winners (24 to 4) and won 88% of points behind his first serve to lay down a 6-2, 6-3 decision in 81 minutes.

“Everyone knows when I’m serving well, usually better things happen afterwards,” Auger-Aliassime explained. “But a big key was the second serve today, because there was a moment in the second set where I wasn’t finding targets on my first serve and it was a low percentage, but I was still able to win a lot of points and not face any break points, winning rallies with my second serve and low double faults.

“It was a great performance overall, with a few ups and downs but I’m very happy with my level.”

Auger-Aliassime can also claim a measure of crowd support as a Monte Carlo local, one who has made the Monte Carlo Country club his home base.

“I’m about a 10-minute walk away!” he exclaims.

“My off-season is here and I play on the hard courts right over there, so I have a feeling when I’m playing both Montréal and here, I feel like I’m playing at home. I’m playing in a place I know very well. I haven’t had much success in the past here, so I’m trying to change that from this year on, because it’s a tournament that I love.

“I remember coming here before I lived here, I got a wild card when I was 17 and I thought it was really a dream come true to be playing in France on this beautiful court. It’s a dream for a kid.”

Given Alcaraz’s form during the Sunshine Swing, a win over Alcaraz would be another dream come true for Auger-Aliassime, who will face off against the No. 3 seed later in the week.