2023-08-17 09:42:39
After a fantastic epic in Toronto, where the French had eliminated Tsitsipas (4th in the world) before losing against Jannik Sinner (6th in the world and future winner of the tournament), Gaël Monfils continues to shine in another Masters 1000, that of Cincinnati, in the States -United. He has just eliminated the Australian Alex De Minaur in straight sets (7-5, 6-4) in the second round. He already beat, in the previous round, the Briton Cameron Norrie (15th in the world).
???????? MONUMENTAL MONFILS ????????
At 36, the Frenchman continues after his 1/4 final in Toronto and eliminates a second TOP 15 in a row by leaving Alex De Minaur to reach the 1/8 final at the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati. ???????????? pic.twitter.com/mEIvEW5GRh
— Universe Tennis ???? (@UniversTennis) August 16, 2023
Monfils, 36, made a first set full of mastery in which he was very aggressive in the forehand. He won after taking his opponent’s serve by converting his first break point when the two players were at 5-5. In the second set, Monfils kept the same pace, relying on a very good first ball, to break away at 4-2 and win 6-4 in 2 h 03 min of play.
“Gaël is the most charismatic player of the last two decades”
He will face Novak Djokovic, world number 2 and qualified against the Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, forced to retire before the start of the second set due to back pain. The record holder for the number of Grand Slam victories (23) was also delighted with his reunion in the round of 16 with the Frenchman Gaël Monfils, 36 years old just like him. “It will be a battle of veterans,” smiled Djokovic about this match against Monfils, ex World No. 6 whom he has always beaten in 18 confrontations so far.
It all started in 2002, Novak Djokovic (15) dominated Gael Monfils (16) 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 for the first time in the final of the Derby Cadets de la Baule. ????????????????
21 years later, they are still competing on the biggest courts in the world. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/XONktvDCnP
— Universe Tennis ???? (@UniversTennis) August 17, 2023
“Gaël is an extraordinary man, I respect him and I really love him – he brings so much joy to the fans (…). He’s the most charismatic player we’ve had in the last two decades,” the Serb said again.
After a jump of 65 places linked to his journey to the quarter-finals in Toronto, Gaël Monfils, current 211th at the ATP, is already guaranteed to win more than 50 at the end of this new Masters 1000.
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