In a thrilling display of resilience and skill, Gaël Monfils, at 37 years old, showcased his enduring talent by defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the second round of the Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati. The match, which spanned two days due to rain interruptions, saw Monfils triumph in three sets with scores of 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4. This victory marks a significant milestone for Monfils as it is his first win against the world number three, Alcaraz, who recently earned a silver medal at the Paris Olympic Games.
The match began with Alcaraz taking the first set 6-4, but Monfils rallied back, displaying his powerful forehand and varied serves to clinch the second set in a tense tie-break. The young Spaniard struggled with his consistency, which allowed Monfils to break early in the third set, ultimately leading to his victory. Monfils expressed that he was feeling the pressure but managed to regain his confidence after a solid first-round win against Alexei Popyrin.
Looking ahead, Monfils will face Holger Rune, the 16th-ranked player in the world, in the next round, as he aims to continue his impressive run in Cincinnati. Rune, who has had a challenging season without a tournament win, will be a tough opponent for the experienced Frenchman.
- The match between Monfils and Alcaraz was not without its dramatic moments. Initially, Monfils struggled to find his rhythm, losing the first set, but he showed remarkable determination to come back in the second set. After the rain delay, he resumed the match with a renewed focus, ultimately prevailing against the young Spaniard. In contrast, Jasmine Paolini also advanced to the round of 16 in the WTA 1000 tournament in Cincinnati, defeating Anastasia Potapova. However, reigning champion Coco Gauff faced an unexpected exit, losing to Yulia Putintseva in a closely contested match. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Monfils as he seeks to make a deeper run.
