Monfils made Monfils. But this time it didn’t happen. Last tricolor representative at the US Open, the Parisian (20th world) lost, Saturday September 4, in five sets (7-6, 6-2, 4-6, 4-6, 6-4) against Jannik Sinner (16th worldwide), in the third round. A defeat that resonates as a disillusionment for the French camp, which has not placed any of its representatives in the round of 16 of a Grand Slam tournament this year.
The first round set the tone for the meeting. Freed from his old demons, the French number one wanted to put on a show in New York. Very comfortable on his service (6 aces), the Habs multiplied the winning forehands and almost wavered the Italian, who saved three break points in the first set.
However, and as too often, Gaël Monfils experienced a slump at the worst of times. While leading 6-5 after breaking his opponent for the day, he lost his commitment and was subsequently dropped in the decisive game, largely won by Sinner (7-1).
After this lost first round, the Parisian was no longer the same. Imprecise, he multiplied the errors (77 unforced errors). For his part, Jannik Sinner, powerful in his exchanges, left only crumbs to the French. But that was before the end of the third round.
Transcended by a public on fire, Gaël Monfils regained his level displayed in the first set. Slices, aces (21 in all), winning forehands, the Parisian won the third round to the applause of Louis Armstrong Stadium. And this flash of genius continued even further.
As he lost 4-0 in the fourth set, the reinvigorated Frenchman won six straight games. Mentally, he snatched this round and offered the public a heroic comeback, facing a Jannik Sinner little experienced in this kind of meeting.
On the American court, the Habs in the sharp sense of the spectacle, never wanted to abdicate and displayed a level worthy of his best hours. But, that spark at Flusing Meadows proved insufficient for the French showman. More physically touched than in the head, Gaël Monfils finally gave in during the fifth and final round of this tough fight (3:41). As a good metronome, Jannik Sinner never panicked to afford a first round of 16 at the US Open. There he will face Alexander Zverev or Jack Sock.
For the 7th time, @Gael_Monfils will play a 5th set after being down 2-0:
OA 11 vs De Bakker (6/1)
OA 12 vs Kukushkin (4/6)
OA 13 vs Simon (6/8)
RG 14 vs Murray (0/6)
Wim 14 vs Vesely (4/6)
OA 15 vs Pouille (6/4)
US 21 vs Sinner#USOpen #HomeOfTennis pic.twitter.com/5WOYGydu5V– Game, Set and Maths (@JeuSetMaths) September 4, 2021
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