2023-08-08 09:14:33
The Toronto crowd got it right on Monday night. She chose the winning side, that of efficiency and above all of spectacle. Faller of Christopher Eubanks in three sets (7-6, 6-7, 6-1), 29th in the world and recent revelation of Wimbledon where he had climbed to the quarter-finals, Gaël Monfils did not only win during this first round of the Masters 1000 in Canada: it took the public to another dimension for a few dazzling points.
While we were playing the third set of this match, led 3-1 by the Frenchman, 276th in the ATP ranking, Gaël Monfils, who had gotten two match points in vain in the second set, showed that he had still all his defensive ardour. Wandering from left to right, on four powerful shots from the American, Monfils managed to defend himself in the most beautiful way before crucifying his opponent with a passing forehand a few steps from the net. A masterful point that the Frenchman, who lost his racquet, celebrated with all the rage that we know him.
Not insensitive to this fabulous new defensive streak, the public rose to cheer the one who chained injuries this season. Already in the first set, Gaël Monfils had made his defensive qualities speak to return a point that seemed lost. After a too softly hit smash, Christopher Eubanks could only observe his opponent’s winning passing from the back of the court. This time, the celebration remains measured. No cries from the frozen Frenchman after this blow, but a small smile filled with satisfaction.
“It’s always good to beat top players”
“It was a tough game, but I gained some confidence last week in Washington (he went all the way to the round of 16). It’s always good to beat high level players. I’m very happy,” said Monfils, who has struggled with repeated injuries in recent years and whose only first-half victory came in the first round of Roland-Garros after an absolutely epic match against France. Argentinian Sebastian Baez. He then had to forfeit due to a wrist injury.
Monfils will face, this Wednesday, the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (4th in the world) in the next round of this Masters 1000 in Toronto. The other Frenchmen, Adrian Mannarino and Grégoire Barrère, were however eliminated in Toronto. Mannarino lost to Japanese Taro Daniel 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 while Barrère was beaten by Italian Matteo Berrettini 6-4, 6-3.
#Tennis #Monfils #ignites #Toronto #exceptional #points