Kovacevic stuns top seed Rublev to reach Montpellier final
Aleksandar Kovacevic stunned top seed Andrey Rublev in the semi-finals of the Open Occitanie on Sunday (AEDT), winning in straight sets to make his first ATP-level final.
The American qualifier, ranked No.102 in the world, raced past Rublev in just one hour and 35 minutes, prevailing 7-5, 6-4 for the biggest win of his career.
“It seems like every day we have the same conversation about me playing the best match I ever played,” the 26-year-old said on-court after the match.
“My level has definitely been good this week.
“Andrey is an incredible player, I have been watching him for years.
“Just stepping on the court with someone like this is a privilege.”
Kovacevic entered the semi-final clash as a heavy underdog across tennis betting sites, paying as much as $4 at Marantelli Bet.
However, it was precisely this lack of expectation that he credits with freeing him up to play his best tennis on Saturday.
“When you’re an underdog, playing a top-10 opponent like that, you’re a lot more free,” he said.
“You have to go for it against these guys.
“I’m honoured to be on court with them, but if you don’t show up they’re going to take it, just like they always do.”
Waiting for Kovacevic in the final of the ATP 250 event is Felix Auger-Aliassime, who continued his fine form in 2025 by beating Jesper de Jong 6-4, 7-6(4) earlier in the day.
The final is Auger-Aliassime’s second of the year, and first indoors since he won the Swiss Indoors Basel in 2022.
After the match, the Canadian shared how past losses helped him get over the line in Montpellier.
“I was very focused until the very end, until the last ball,” he said.
“I have lost matches like this where you miss the forehand and all of a sudden you’re in a third set.
“The second set was very tricky, up and down.
“I started serving less good and kept him in the match, but in the end I was glad I was able to come back and win in two sets.
“So I tried to stay calm and very focused until the end.
“Not every match is going to be a straight road forward, so to pull it through in straight sets is a great thing.”
Heading into the final, Auger-Aliassime is a heavy favourite to claim his seventh career title.
Tennis bookmakers are offering just $1.36 for him to prevail, while Kovacevic is a $3.20 underdog.
