He was just a few points away Carlos Alcaraz of a victory that, in any case, will have to wait. With 6-4 in the first set and a 6-6, 3-1 in favor of Gael Monfils In the tiebreak of the second, this is how the second round battle ended. ATP Cincinnati 2024at which point the rain would start to postpone the meeting to the next day, a day for which they would also provide water.
Although the match started with almost no exchanges in the background and with both players getting stronger on serve, Carlitos took just a few minutes to extend the points and take the lead, also helped by the double faults of a Gael who could not hold back. With the instructions of Juan Carlos Ferrero from the box, he encouraged his pupil to go forward on the court, even if he failed. Although Alcaraz went overboard trying to dominate with forehand or backhand, this early advantage put him in control of the first set.
Monfils improved his form, chasing his rival very closely, although it was not enough to fight for the first set. With slices, drop shots and net passes, Alcaraz continued to add points on his side, as long as the speed of the court allowed him to play more than two shots in an exchange. All the hopes of the Frenchman were placed on his serve, an aspect that improved in the second set.
Monfils gives himself a chance
The first problems for the Spaniard came in the sixth game of the second set, when he saved the triple break point and one more later to keep the score level, but he received a warning from a Monfils who had not given up at all and who was increasing his pace with each game. After overcoming a small scare on a physical level, Gael showed himself stronger, trying to hold on to that good run to prolong the match.
The serves were again dominant in the final stretch of the second set, when the tension grew due to the importance of each point. With nerves of steel, Carlitos saved a set point against him, forcing a tiebreak in which Monfils started ahead. With the score at 3-1, the rain appeared to pause the match. After an hour full of uncertainty, the tournament finally confirmed that the match was postponed to the next round, so this coming Friday we will know who Holger Rune’s opponent will be in the round of 16.
