2023-08-03 01:14:38
She must please that one! For the first time this season, Gaël Monfils managed to win a second victory in the same tournament. And even though this is only his third success on the main circuit, this victory over No. 6 seed Alexander Bublik in the second round of the Washington Open is full of promise.
Between these two men, we might expect a great show and the public was not mistaken by completely filling the stands. In fact, there were some very good shots in this match between two artists. But Monfils had the merit of staying focused when Bublik sometimes let himself be carried away by what was happening on the court. Admittedly, the Kazakh multiplied the drop shots, half-volleys and other shots that gave the impression of being improvised, but he also lacked solidity in the important moments. Monfils, he played solid, not giving in to the desire to shine to shine. The important thing was elsewhere, we had to win. He showed it by dismissing a break point from his first service game with a big forehand winner. No, he wasn’t there for fun. And, at the start of the match where there were many break points on both sides (Bublik was going to save three on his first service game), the Kazakh was the first to crack. A double fault offered the break to Monfils who would keep it until the end of the set.
The second set was of the same caliber. Monfils broke quickly (2-1), but was picked up in stride behind one of Bublik’s many drop shots. In total self-sacrifice, the Frenchman did not balk at the effort and multiplied the races forward. A tenacity that earned him to break once more to lead 4-3. At 5-4, Monfils served for the match and the lack of competition was then felt. It’s not easy to complete a match when the opportunity has not arisen so much in recent months. In this last game, Monfils would first get three match points. If he anticipated on the wrong side the return of Bublik on the first, the Kazakh was going to win the next two on his own. To the point of getting two break points, including one behind a double fault from Monfils. The French dismissed them and obtained a fourth match point. He converted it with a winning forehand. Here he is in the round of 16 where he will meet Tallon Griekspoor, seeded n ° 12.
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