The first is married to Elina Svitolina, a Ukrainian player. The second is Russian. In the current context, the opposition between Gaël Monfils and Daniil Medvedev had something special, this Monday, in the third round of the Indian Wells tournament. The Californian ATP 1000 is the first tournament in which Medvedev took part in the skin of the world number 1. Monfils, he had not played since his defeat in the first round in Montpellier, dominated by the Swede Mikaël Ymer 6-1 6-2. In January, however, he reached the quarter-finals at the Australian Open, knocked out by the Italian Berrettini in five sets.
Faced with Medvedev, whom Indian Wells definitely did not succeed, since he never passed the round of 16 there, Monfils, world number 28, bravely played his luck despite losing the first set, during which his opponent seemed then well settled in defense, returning just about every ball.
But while the earth briefly shook at 3.1 on the Richter scale near Indian Wells, another slight earthquake was brewing in the tournament as the Parisian increased in intensity in the second set, while changing pace with volleys, cushioning and even underhand serves, the second pushing the Russian to a fault, to equalize at one set everywhere.
Winded up like clockwork under the hot Californian sun, Monfils started the third set in the same way by winning the first four games against a standing KO Medvedev. The Russian scored his opener at 4-1, but his challenger was literally on fire and won 6-1. The keys to his success on this meeting? “My mobility, I moved very well and changed my punching speed a lot, to keep him from having a lot of rhythm, and I made him run. I felt like I was measuring my forehand well, ”he explained hotly.
“It was great. I feel good. I had a good start to the year, I felt strong, I was moving well. I’m pretty happy right now. I am in my zone and I am a difficult opponent for anyone, ”added the Frenchman, already convincing for his entry into the running on Saturday against the Serbian Filip Krajinovic. He will face in the round of 16 the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz (N.19), who crushed 6-2, 6-0 his compatriot Roberto Bautista (N.15).
This is the first time in 13 years that the “Monf” pin a world number 1 in exercise. In 2009, it was Nadal, in Doha (6-4, 6-4). By beating Medvedev, Monfils becomes the seventh French player to achieve this performance at least twice after Leconte, Noah, Forget, Grosjean, Simon and Tsonga. For Medvedev, this failure is not without consequences. He will leave his place on the throne to Novak Djokovic on Monday March 21. The latter was absent from California because not vaccinated against Covid and therefore not authorized to travel to the United States.