Gaël Monfils (ATP 46) created a surprise on Friday in the second round of the ATP Masters 1000 in Cincinnati. The 37-year-old Frenchman eliminated world No. 3, Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz (ATP-3) after 2h30 of play and three sets: 4-6, 7-6 (7/5) and 6-4.
The duel began on Thursday and was stopped by rain at 4-6, 6-6 (3/1). This rest allowed Monfils, who will be 38 on September 1, to regain his feelings and offer himself his 9th career top 3 player, the first of the year.
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Alcaraz was playing his first hard court match of the summer and his first match since his Olympic final lost on the clay of Roland-Garros against Novak Djokovic. This defeat will cost dearly in terms of ATP points for the Murcian who reached the final in Ohio twelve months ago. He lost there 5-7, 7-6 (9/7) and 7-6 (7/4) against Djokovic, absent in Cincinnati this year.
Alcaraz who seemed very frustrated during the match. He even, which is rare for him, let his anger explode after 2 hours of play, by coming to smash his racket on the court, surprising the entire crowd present on site. Angry, the Spaniard hit his racket on the ground several times and received a warning for misconduct in the process.
Facing Rune, Gaël Monfils ultimately lost in the next round.
Carlos Alcaraz
ATP cincinnati
