Achi news desk-
Montreal’s Felix Auger-Eliasima defeated Italy’s Luca Nardi 6-2, 6-3 on Monday in the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters, setting up a match against world No. 3 Carlos Alcarez.
Auger-Eliasima, ranked 35th in the world, needed just 82 minutes to defeat the 20-year-old Nardi on the Kurt Rainier III clay courts. It was the first ever meeting between the two players.
Nardi, ranked 76th, committed four double faults, twice as many as Auger-Eliasima, and failed to convert any break points against the Canadian. Auger-Eliasima took advantage of three out of seven breakaway opportunities.
Auger-Eliasima also recorded 22 winners and just nine unforced errors en route to the second round.
He sealed the match with his first match point and will face Alcarez on Tuesday.
Auger-Eliasima holds a 3-2 career record against the Spaniard. However, Alcarez has won their last two meetings, including one in the third round of the Indian Wells Masters in California last month.
-This Canadian Press report was first published on April 8, 2024.
