ATP Indian Wells: Fils Keeps Rolling, Monfils Falls to Auger-Aliassime in Final Appearance

A night of highs and farewells for the French in the California desert

The emotions were all over the place for French tennis overnight Friday into Saturday at Indian Wells. On the courts of the season’s opening Masters 1000, Arthur Fils kept moving toward the third round while Gaël Monfils played what might be his last match in the desert.

Two different paths, two generations, same thread: a fight for every point in the weird conditions of Indian Wells.

Arthur Fils advances after Prizmic retires

Arthur Fils didn’t need a long slog to get through round two. Facing Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic, the French youngster grabbed the match early.

Solid from the first ball, Fils broke twice in the opening set, dictated play from the baseline and looked physically strong — a welcome sight after the back problem that wrecked parts of his last season.

The contest didn’t finish. Clearly under the weather and struggling, Prizmic retired in the second set with Fils leading 6-2, 3-2.

🔴 Arthur Fils advances after the retirement of hopeful Dino Prizmic (6-2, 3-2 ret.) and reaches the third round at the Indian Wells Masters 1000. 🇫🇷

The Frenchman will meet Marton Fucsovics, who beat Lorenzo Musetti, for a spot in the last 16. pic.twitter.com/wUmBhVIH0K

— Univers Tennis 🎾 (@UniversTennis) March 6, 2026

A quick win for Fils, who will face Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics in the third round after his win over Lorenzo Musetti.

Monfils lights up the court in his final Indian Wells

Later that night Gaël Monfils was out there trying to keep the run alive. The 39-year-old, who had beaten Alexis Galarneau in round one, faced Canada’s Félix Auger-Aliassime for a place in the next round.

And, as usual with Monfils, it was must-see TV.

Alive, fleet-footed and still capable of jaw-dropping flashes, he made the world No.9 sweat. In a tight first set Monfils kept his cool and took the breaker.

But Auger-Aliassime stepped it up. More consistent in the rallies and sharper at the key moments, the Canadian turned the match around to win in three sets (6-7, 6-3, 6-4) after just over two hours.

The loss also marks what may be Monfils’ final showing at Indian Wells as he plays out the last season of his career.

THANKYOU 😍

For the last time @Gael_Monfils leaves the courts in #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/QrYscu6NwM

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 7, 2026

Auger-Aliassime’s tribute to an extraordinary player

After the match Félix Auger-Aliassime didn’t hide his admiration.

He singled out Monfils’ still-impressive physical gifts, even nearing forty. Very few players on tour, he said, can match that burst of speed and athletic level.

A pointed tribute, fitting for a career that will be remembered for spectacular shotmaking and a personality that always stood out.

In the California desert, Gaël Monfils may have played his last match. But the show he brought to the court will stick with his name for a long time.

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