"I had to get it together, this match is getting too long" - Felix Auger-Aliassime jokes about playing his longest two-set match at Miami Open 2023

After two hours and 41 minutes of intense battle, Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Brazilian Thiago Monteiro 7-6(5), 7-6(8) in the second round of the 2023 Miami Open on Saturday (March 25). After the match, the Canadian star remarked that he had never spent more time on the court for a two-set match.

Both players held their serve throughout the match that saw five break-point opportunities from Auger-Aliassime but zero conversions. Despite committing seven double faults, the sixth-ranked player finished with 12 aces and 32 winners, while the World No. 81 hit four aces and 19 winners.

Speaking to former player Prakash Amritraj on the Tennis Channel, Auger-Aliassime stated that he discussed the difficult nature of his victory against Monteiro with Frances Tiafoe in the locker room.

"It's crazy. I was just telling Frances [Tiafoe] in the locker room that I had to get it together and somehow, I need to find a way to win this set because this match is taking way too long for two sets. That's the longest I've ever played two sets. It was definitely a tough one, he [Monteiro] made me work for it," Auger-Aliassime said.

Improving his head-to-head record against the Brazilian to 3-0, Auger-Aliassime showered praise on Monteiro, calling him a "great fighter." He also stated that the heat made things difficult and that the majority of the crowd was rooting for Monteiro.

"He's a great opponent, great fighter," he added. "So nothing was easy out there today. It was getting tough for both of us, with the heat as well and physically. I felt like every time his back was against the wall, he was hitting great serves, great forehands, getting energy from the crowd, and playing his best when he needed to."

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"Had to stay positive" - Felix Auger-Aliassime on his Miami Open 2023 R2 win

Felix Auger-Aliassime beat Thiago Monteiro 7-6(5), 7-6(8) in the second round of the 2023 Miami Open. Reflecting on the match, the Canadian stated that he stayed mentally strong, which made a difference.

"I was giving myself chance," Auger-Aliassime said. "He came up with some good serves and great shots every time, so [I just had to] keep driving, keep trying, keep moving forward, and keep staying positive. I think that was the key today, to just stay strong mentally.”

He expressed his satisfaction with the way he served in windy conditions.

“I was serving pretty good," he added. "Throughout the match, I felt good, considering the conditions too. It was super windy, so to serve like this, on the big points, that was key today."

Felix Auger-Aliassime will next take on 31st-ranked Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina in the third round of the 2023 Miami Open.