In confidence and fully regaining his feelings for ten days, with in particular a success at the Marrakech tournament at stake, David Goffin (ATP 47) stopped this Thursday noon its pretty series in the round of 16 in Monte-Carlo.
The Belgian suffered the law of the Spaniard Alexander Davidovich Fokina (ATP 46): 6-4 and 6-1. The Spaniard had won, a little earlier in the week, against the world No.1 Novak Djokovic in three sets (6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1).
On the heels of its convincing success against Djokovicthe Malaga native escaped 4-1 but Goffin managed to catch up (4-4). Uncomfortable on his serve throughout the game, with 36% of first serves and 3 double faults, he conceded the break and the first set in the 10th game (6-4).
Perhaps a bit dulled by the string of an eighth game in just nine days, the best Belgian player dropped in intensity in the second set, leaving Davidovich Fokina escape at 4-0 before losing after 1:31.
In the previous round, our compatriot had taken the best on his pet peeve, Daniel Evans (ATP 27), with a score of 7-6, 6-2.
This victory, this success against his nemesis as well as this series in general should allow the Belgian to approach the rest of the season with more serenity, he whose start to the year was taking on more and more the appearance of ordeal. He should also get closer to the top 40 in the next ATP ranking.