We were waiting for confirmation, it didn’t take long to come. Just 1 hour 23 minutes, the time it took Arthur Cazaux to reach the second round at the ATP 250 in Montpellier on Tuesday. Eighth finalist at the Australian Open, after having created a huge sensation by eliminating Holger Rune (seeded 8) in the second round, the young Frenchman (21 years old) knew he was expected on his land (he is a native of Montpellier). But he didn’t blink to cleanly eliminate the German Maximilian Marterer, 6-1, 6-3.
His start to the match was simply astonishing as he pocketed the first ten points of the game, notably hitting two aces in his first service game. Even though he had to save three break points to lead 3-0, we felt he was in control. Cazaux focused mainly on playing fair and finding the right areas. Marterer did not hold the exchange. The first set went by quickly: 6-1, in 34 minutes.
Cazaux has a meeting with Auger-Aliassime
The German (92nd) then held on to 2 points in the second round. The moment he chose to commit two beautiful blunders, a direct error on the forehand, followed by a completely ruined backhand volley. Break in the pocket, Cazaux, as solid as ever, rolled on, helped by an erratic service (47% of first balls) but effective when his first ball slammed (11 aces).
Challenger (from Nouméa) included, Cazaux now has 9 successes in 10 matches since the start of the season. He will face Felix Auger-Aliassime, 30th ATP and seeded 3, in the second round.
2024-01-30 20:09:07
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